02.12.2025 09:50
In Osmaniye, Mehmet Demir found himself and his friend unwittingly involved in a fraud case when he shared his IBAN number, trusting his childhood friend. Demir stated, "Our youth is seriously under threat. It affects our criminal record, impacts our future, and we can't even look our families in the face. One day, even our ability to start a family in the future is at risk. Don't trust anyone, believe in no one."
Mehmet Demir, a 24-year-old living in Osmaniye, found himself and a friend unknowingly involved in a fraud case after sharing his IBAN at the request of a childhood friend.
SHARED HIS FRIEND'S IBAN NUMBER
According to the information obtained, Mehmet Demir received a message from his childhood friend stating that his accounts were blocked and that he needed an IBAN for an urgent money transfer. Upset by the situation and wanting to help, Demir, who was driving at the time, could not write his own IBAN and shared his friend's IBAN number instead. It was later determined that the IBAN in question was used for fraudulent purposes.
SUMMONED TO THE POLICE STATION FOR TESTIMONY
Demir and his friend became aware of the incident when they were summoned to the police station for testimony. Mehmet Demir, who said he was devastated to learn that the IBAN he provided to his friend was used in a fraud case, stated, "We resolved the other party's victimization, but we are still being prosecuted for fraud. Our records are under threat. There are thousands of victims like me. No matter what happens, do not trust anyone," he said.
SUMMONED BY A POLICE OFFICER 3 MONTHS LATER
Mehmet Demir stated that they learned they were involved in a fraud case when they went to the police station. "At the time of the incident, I was driving with three people beside me. I received a call from my friend, who said he was in a difficult situation, that his payments were open to mobile banking, and that a debt was coming from a certain place. He asked for my IBAN from 3-4 people. Trusting him, I was going to send my information. At that moment, I couldn't send it because I was driving, so I told my brother's girlfriend. 'You can send it to me later, and I will forward the money to them.' This is how the incident occurred. Later, three months later, we were summoned by a police officer. When we went to the police station and started reading the testimony papers, I learned that we were accused of fraud. For this reason, our statements were taken," he said.
"WE RESOLVED THE VICTIMIZATION BUT WE ARE STILL BEING PROSECUTED"
Demir stated that neither he nor his friend had any connection to the incident and that despite being innocent, they were under a significant legal burden. "The amount defrauded was 7,800 Turkish Liras, which is a ridiculous amount. We had made the payment regarding the resolution of the victimization. Nevertheless, we are still being prosecuted. We want this to be included in the scope of reconciliation. Even if the other party withdraws their complaint, we are caught up in the rules set by the state. Our youth is seriously under threat for very simple reasons. It is truly painful for it to be this way," he expressed.
"I TRUSTED MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND, MY LIFE TURNED DARK"
Mehmet Demir, who stated that there are thousands of victims like him, said, "We are currently trying to raise our voices through a social media platform. We collected nearly 50,000 signed petitions and sent them to the parliament. Our youth is seriously under threat. It is being recorded in our criminal records, affecting our future, and we cannot look our families in the face. The situation of starting a family in the future is even at risk. Do not believe anyone, do not trust anyone. This is based on trust. Never trust those who say money will come, etc. You can never know where it will come from. I became a victim of my childhood friend. Since I knew him beforehand, I never expected something like this to happen," he said.