ISTANBUL, (DHA) – Five suspects have been apprehended in an operation targeting a 72 million lira gold fraud in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district. The individuals are accused of impersonating police officers and prosecutors to convince 83-year-old Dinçer K. to hand over 1,758 Republic gold coins. Efforts to locate two additional suspects are ongoing.
Details of the Fraud Incident
The incident occurred on April 16 in Beşiktaş. According to reports, Dinçer K. filed a complaint stating that he handed over approximately 1,758 Republic gold coins, valued at 72 million lira, to individuals who called him on the phone, posing as law enforcement officials. Following the complaint, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation, coordinated by the Istanbul Police Department, the Intelligence Branch Directorate, and the Technical Tracking and Monitoring Bureau Command.
Identification and Arrest of Suspects
As part of the investigation, the identities of five suspects, believed to have acted as ‘hand-over’, ‘intermediary’, ‘upper intermediary’, and ‘thrower’ in the fraud, were established. These suspects were identified as Mehmet Uçak, Hasan Taş, İsmail Aygin, Fethi Kaymaz, and Selahattin Akmeşe. They were taken into custody today in simultaneous operations conducted in Istanbul and Şanlıurfa.
Ongoing Search for Remaining Suspects
The investigation is continuing, with efforts underway to apprehend two more suspects. Hakan Ural is believed to be the ‘organizer’ of the scheme, while Ahmet Karatay is identified as another ‘thrower’ involved in the fraud. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to locate and arrest these individuals to bring them to justice.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by Turkish authorities to combat fraud and protect citizens from such deceptive practices. The scale of the fraud, involving a significant amount of gold and a vulnerable victim, underscores the importance of public awareness and vigilance against similar scams.
The Istanbul Police Department urges citizens to be cautious of unsolicited calls and to verify the identities of individuals claiming to be law enforcement or public officials. Individuals who encounter suspicious calls or requests for money or valuables are advised to contact the police immediately.
Further details regarding the investigation and any additional arrests will be released as they become available. The authorities are committed to fully uncovering the extent of this criminal network and ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Source: https://www.dha.com.tr/yerel-haberler/istanbul/besiktasta-72-milyon-liralik-altin-dolandirici-2900990
