Operation Against Criminal Network Committing 700 Million Lira Fraud via Social Media
In an operation targeting a criminal organization that defrauded citizens of approximately 700 million liras via the internet and social media platforms across 10 provinces based in Mardin, 15 suspects were captured and 6 of them were arrested.
Under the coordination of the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous operations were conducted in 10 provinces by the Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams against fraud activities carried out via social media and the internet.
Details of the Operation
The Mardin Provincial Gendarmerie Command Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch Directorate and Cyber Crimes Branch Directorate teams carried out a joint study.
As a result of these ongoing efforts, the identities and operational areas of the suspects who organized fraud via the internet and social media channels were identified.
Targeted Groups
It was determined that the criminal organization particularly targeted citizens living in rural areas to carry out fraudulent activities, reaching a transaction volume of approximately 700 million TL through this method.
It was detected that the organization members made various false promises to deceive citizens.
Methods Used
It was understood that the suspects promised car rentals and side jobs at home to citizens, and also claimed they would sell mobile phones and auto spare parts.
It was ascertained that numerous people were defrauded under the guise of selling products such as agriculture and livestock equipment.
Simultaneous Raids in Ten Provinces
Within the scope of the operations initiated with Mardin as the center, simultaneous raids were carried out in the provinces of Mersin, İzmir, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Samsun, Muş, İstanbul, Gaziantep, and Bitlis.
Security forces acted simultaneously to apprehend the members of the criminal organization in the wide-scale operations covering a total of 10 provinces.
Judicial Process and Decisions
The 15 suspects detained as a result of the operations were referred to the court after the completion of their procedures.
Out of the suspects brought before the court, 6 were arrested and sent to the Mardin Closed Penitentiary Institution, while judicial control precautionary measures were issued for 9 suspects.