25.08.2026 18:51
In Istanbul, 13 suspects who posted advertisements on websites promising affordable apartment sales and took deposits from citizens, victimizing many people, were caught in a simultaneous operation. It was determined that the 13 suspects defrauded 30 people in 30 separate incidents of approximately 25 million lira. While it was established that the suspects threatened victims to withdraw their complaints, measures were placed on the suspects' assets and bank accounts as part of the investigation.
Teams from the Fraud Bureau Office of the Public Order Branch Directorate of the Istanbul Police Department, together with the Intelligence Branch Directorate, initiated an investigation into the crime of "Qualified Fraud." In the investigations conducted by the teams, it was determined that the suspects had posted advertisements on various websites, primarily in Esenyurt, offering the sale of apartments at affordable prices, taking deposits from citizens, and victimizing many people through this method.
13 DETAINED IN 3 PROVINCES
A simultaneous operation was carried out on August 25, centered in Istanbul, in 3 provinces, including Sinop and Giresun, to capture the suspects. In the operation, 13 suspects were apprehended and detained. The detained suspects were brought to the Public Order Branch Directorate for the continuation of their procedures.
FRAUD OF 25 MILLION LIRAS WITH FAKE ADVERTISEMENTS
New details emerged within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Fraud Bureau Office of the Public Order Branch Directorate. It was determined that the suspects operated as a family company, attracted customers by posting fake advertisements on the website, then took deposits from customers and stalled victims with various excuses. Examinations revealed that the suspects were involved in 30 different acts, victimized 30 people through these acts, and obtained approximately 25 million liras in illicit gains. It was assessed that the teams' work was ongoing and that the number of victims and the amount of fraud could increase.
Meanwhile, it was learned that among the suspects, Erkan G. had 29, Bayram G. 10, Mahmut G. 7, Erdem G. 5, Barış S. 22, and Faruk P. 15 criminal records. Examinations of the suspects' assets revealed a total of 23 properties, including 13 fields, 3 houses, 3 plots of land, 1 hazelnut grove, 1 garden, 1 wooden house and land, and 1 wooden barn and garden, as well as 6 vehicles. Measures were placed on these properties and vehicles, and it was learned that measures were also applied to the suspects' bank accounts.
"THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MY DESPERATION"
One of the victims, Fatma Balaban (55), recounting her experience, said, "We wanted to buy a house. We are apartment building staff, living in the janitor's unit. To buy a house, my husband searched on the internet and found it. We went and looked, they showed us two or three houses. They showed us one house, and we liked it. Then they asked for a 200,000 TL deposit. That day, they suddenly crowded around us, saying 'sister, it's like this, mom, it's like this, brother, it's like this.' I couldn't understand what was happening. I had my son transfer the 200,000 lira deposit from the bank. They also tried to get me to take out a loan, but the loan wasn't approved by the bank. Later, I went to ask for my deposit back. He said, 'Sister, if your money is ready in hand, the deed will be in your hands today at three.' I had my jewelry with me, in my bag, on me. We went to the jeweler he knew, we cashed it in. I couldn't understand what was happening to me. My mother was also in intensive care. My house was also infested with sewer rats. I was looking for a way out to get out of the house as soon as possible. They took advantage of my desperation. He defrauded me there too, deceived me there too. It amounted to 2.5 million TL there, but my gold was worth 3 million lira. When we came to the office, he took the money in hand. He said, 'It's too late, the deed won't be finished today, we'll handle it on Monday.' We went on Monday, he said the owner was abroad. He kept delaying, saying 'in a week,' for 3 months. If he had cashed in my gold right now, it would have been 5.5 million."
"LET NO ONE BELIEVE THEM, LET NO ONE BE DECEIVED"
Another victim, Erkan Bakırcı (36), said, "I saw an advertisement on a website in Istanbul Esenyurt. I called the phone number related to that advertisement. I contacted G.K. Real Estate. The secretary working there answered the phone. When I went, they told me that house couldn't be sold to me, and then they showed me another house. Later, I went and looked at that house. I liked the house and bought it. After that, they asked for a 100,000 lira deposit. Then, when he called the next day, Erkan said, 'Your loan isn't approved. You need to pay 500,000 lira more.' After that, I sent him another 500,000, sending a total of 600,000 lira. So, let no one believe them, let no one be deceived."
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the suspects threatened the victims they defrauded via messages, sending messages like, "If you withdraw your complaint, we will pay your money." The advertisements the suspects published on a website also came to light.