Foreign-Linked Crime Ring Crumbles: 18 Arrested
Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya has announced the success of the “Cage-36” operations carried out by the General Directorate of Security Public Order Department in Tekirdağ Provincial Police Department. These operations were conducted in 7 provinces centered in Tekirdağ and targeted a criminal organization involved in fraud, blackmail, and threats.
According to the announcement, members of the criminal organization, including foreign nationals, used fake social media accounts with female profiles to contact male Turkish citizens. They recorded obscene images of the victims in video calls and then threatened and blackmailed them using these images. Additionally, the suspects committed fraud by demanding money from the victims with the promise of marriage, in return for a certain commission. It was also discovered that the organization brought other foreign nationals to the country and opened multiple bank accounts through which they defrauded approximately 30 million TL.
A total of 18 suspects, including the leader of the organization and 7 foreign nationals, were captured in the operations. The authorities seized 2 cars, 33 mobile phones, 27 SIM cards, 47 debit cards from different banks, and a large amount of foreign currency and Turkish Lira. Additionally, fake employment documents and Revenue Administration documents issued in the name of foreign individuals were also confiscated.
Minister Yerlikaya praised the efforts of the police officers involved in the operations and assured the public that the Turkish justice system would not allow the criminals to escape. He stated that the operations against those who disturb the peace of the people by establishing criminal organizations will continue relentlessly.
