04.12.2025 10:55
It has been revealed that the judicial deposit box at the Büyükçekmece Courthouse was robbed. In the incident, approximately 25 kg of gold and 50 kg of silver were stolen, and it was determined that clerk Erdal Timurtaş took the gold outside using a wheelchair. It was found that Timurtaş fled to England with his family, and an investigation into the 154 million TL fraud is ongoing. Here are all the details about the robbery that Turkey is talking about...
The theft incident that occurred at the Büyükçekmece Courthouse in Istanbul has been recorded as one of the largest scams in recent years. It was revealed that the courthouse's judicial custody safe was robbed, and approximately 25 kilograms of gold and 50 kilograms of silver were stolen. The incident was noticed during an inspection conducted by the responsible prosecutor of the Custody Office of the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on December 1.
HE TOOK THE GOLD OUT WITH A SHOPPING CART
As part of the investigation, it was determined that clerk Erdal Timurtaş filled black bags with gold and took them out of the courthouse using a wheeled cart similar to a shopping cart. It was found that Timurtaş had taken annual leave, saying, "I have family problems," and had not been coming to work for a long time, which intensified suspicions in this direction. The key and responsibility for the safes were held by another clerk, Kemal Demir. When the safes were opened, it was seen that they were empty.
154 MILLION LIRA SCAM
Investigations revealed that the stolen items were materials from cases involving gold smuggling by immigrants. The total value was calculated to be 154 million TL (approximately 2 million 735 thousand pounds).
THE SUSPECT FLED TO ENGLAND WITH HIS FAMILY
As a result of the investigations, it was determined that Erdal Timurtaş fled to England with his wife Esma Timurtaş and their two children from Sabiha Gökçen Airport on November 19. It was revealed that Timurtaş had previously traveled to England and had received an assignment document from the courthouse for a visa application in March. It was also learned that Timurtaş sent a message to his friends saying, "I sold the goods. May God bless your market."
KEMAL DEMİR IS IN CUSTODY, INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Erdal Timurtaş and his wife as part of the investigation. Judicial custody responsible clerk Kemal Demir was taken into custody and interrogated. Statements from the office's head of writing affairs and other personnel were also taken. No criminal evidence was found during searches conducted at the suspects' homes.
"WE GOT OUR VISA, WE ARE MOVING TO ENGLAND"
It was revealed that Esma Timurtaş, the wife of Erdal Timurtaş, worked as a paid classroom teacher at a primary school in Esenyurt and had been telling those around her for months, "We got our visa, we are moving to England." The police have started examining all security cameras around the school.