Turkish citizen added to FBI's most wanted list in the US: $150,000 reward for information leading to his location

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a new announcement regarding Turkish citizen Onur Şimşek, who is alleged to have been involved in military procurement fraud against the US Department of Defense. The FBI announced that a reward of up to $150,000 will be given to those who provide information leading to the capture and conviction of Şimşek.

Şimşek, who is believed to be in Turkey, has been added to the FBI's newly created "Most Wanted Fraudsters" list. According to US authorities, between April 2019 and February 2022, Şimşek obtained contracts for the supply of military parts from the Department of Defense through a Florida-based shell company.

According to the allegations, the company was presented as a qualified manufacturer that had passed audits in the US. However, it is claimed that the supplied parts were actually manufactured in Turkey and, after being sent to the US, were repackaged to appear as if they met American production standards and product specifications.

It was stated that Şimşek had previously been banned from doing business with the US government in 2018. The US District Court for the Middle District of Florida issued an arrest warrant for Şimşek on October 25, 2023.

The Turkish suspect faces numerous serious charges, including conspiracy to defraud the US government, wire fraud, money laundering, and violating export control regulations.

Rodney E. Crawford, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Tampa Field Office, and officials from the US Department of Defense Office of Inspector General emphasized that the entry of substandard parts into the military supply chain is not merely a financial fraud. Officials stated that this situation poses a risk to US national security and the safety of American soldiers.

The FBI has called on individuals who know Şimşek's location to report it and announced that the identities of those who share information will be kept confidential.

News Source: 12punto