18.12.2025 00:20
In an investigation targeting suspects who defrauded a Lebanese businessman seeking to trade meat for shipment to Gaza out of approximately $300,000, four individuals were apprehended in Bursa. Three of the suspects, who presented themselves as a Brazil-based company, were arrested, and it was reported that the defrauded money has been returned.
A Lebanese businessman, M.I.A.A.A., engaged in food trade in Palestine, was targeted in a fraud case where four suspects gained approximately 300 thousand dollars under the pretense of selling meat to be sent to Gaza. Three of the suspects were arrested in Bursa, and it was learned that the defrauded money was returned.
THEY INTRODUCED THEMSELVES AS BRAZILIANS
It was determined that the suspects contacted the Lebanese businessman via email, introducing themselves as representatives of a meat company operating in Brazil. The suspects, who received an order for 600 tons of meat to be sent to Gaza, requested an advance payment for the shipment.
THEY DIRECTED HIM TO A TURKISH BANK BY SAYING "CUSTOMS TAXES ARE LOWER"
A bank account number belonging to a bank in Turkey was sent to the businessman. M.I.A.A.A., who became suspicious of the situation, was informed that the reason for depositing the money into the account in Turkey was that "customs taxes are lower in Turkey." Following this, the businessman transferred 296 thousand 386 dollars as an advance payment to the specified account.
IT TURNED OUT THE DOCUMENTS WERE FAKE
After a while, the businessman realized that the documents sent were fake and that the meat shipment had never started, and he filed a complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Following the complaint, a fraud investigation was initiated.
THE COMPANY WAS FOUND IN BURSA
Investigations conducted by the Fraud Bureau of the Public Security Branch revealed that the company, which was claimed to operate in Brazil, was actually established in Bursa and also had an office in Istanbul.
THEY WITHDREW THE MONEY IN KADIKÖY AND WERE CAUGHT ON CAMERA
It was determined that the suspects withdrew the transferred money from a bank branch in Kadıköy. Security camera footage showed the money being stuffed into a bag and the suspects dispersing to different addresses.
OPERATION IN BURSA
As a result of tracking the camera recordings, an operation was conducted in Bursa, where E.E. (32), İ.D. (24), F.A. (42), and M.A. (25) were detained. The suspects were referred to the courthouse after their procedures at the Istanbul Public Security Branch.
3 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED
Of the suspects brought before the court, E.E., İ.D., and M.A. were arrested and sent to prison, while F.A. was released under judicial control.
THE DEFRAUDED MONEY WAS RETURNED
Meanwhile, it was learned that the defrauded amount of 296 thousand 386 dollars was returned to the court through the suspects' lawyers after their arrest. The money is reported to be delivered to the Lebanese businessman living in Palestine.