A 10-member group in Istanbul was caught after defrauding 9 individuals by promising to import cars at affordable prices from customs. The individuals involved in the 60 million TL scam were found to have a significant amount of money and gold jewelry at their homes. Victim S.B. stated that they were deceived with the lie that the cars were 40% cheaper than the normal price.

Upon the complaint of the victims who claimed to have been cheated while attempting to purchase inexpensive cars, the Security Branch Directorate initiated an investigation.

The defrauded individuals revealed that a person named S.B., whom they knew, misled them by saying, “I know the customs regulations very well. I import and sell vehicles in fleets. They are 40% cheaper than the normal price.” All victims indicated that they first bought a vehicle and later sent money to the suspect to purchase more luxurious cars. 10 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY The Fraud Bureau teams identified the existence of a group conducting organized fraud under the leadership of S.B. through research. Following permission from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Organized Crime Investigation Bureau, a technical and physical surveillance lasting 2 months took place. After collecting evidence, an operation was launched. In an operation in Istanbul, 10 suspects, including the leader of the group, S.B., were taken into custody. LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND GOLD SEIZED AT THE LEADER’S HOUSE During questioning at the Security Branch Directorate, it was revealed that S.B., among the suspects, had 30 criminal records and 3 warrants. He was captured in a luxurious house in Uskudar, where a search led to the seizure of a total of 6 million TL in cash and gold jewelry, along with two rifles. METHODS UNVEILED In the police investigation, it was learned that the suspect built friendships with individuals with good financial status and offered to sell cheap imported cars from abroad in exchange for a small profit. The suspect was revealed to initially deliver one car to the victims and cover the price difference from his pocket. He later convinced the victims, who thought they were buying cheap cars, to buy more cars and then converted the collected money into foreign currency at exchange offices to take it abroad. “WE WERE DEFRAUDED WHILE TRYING TO BUY INEXPENSIVE CARS” Selcan K., one of the victims who complained at the Security Branch Directorate, said, “At first, we were skeptical. However, we actually bought one car at a really cheap price. Moreover, we received the car from the dealership. This reassured us. We informed our friends about the situation and contacted him again to buy a better car ourselves. However, despite months passing, we didn’t receive our money nor was the car delivered. We are filing a complaint.” The fraud group members, after completing the procedures at the police station, were transferred to the courthouse.