"Massive fraud of 200 million euros in Denizli"

Stating that they are representatives of a famous financial company based in Dubai in Denizli, it is alleged that individuals collected money ranging from 20,000 euros to 300,000 euros from many people, especially expatriates living in Europe, with the promise of high profit shares, and committed fraud amounting to approximately 200 million euros. In the operation organized by the police against these individuals, Ertuğrul Sezer (39) was detained, and Volkan Çark (27), who was identified as acting with him, was arrested. It was reported that efforts are ongoing to capture 3 suspects who are on the run. The victims' lawyer, Anıl Aba, stated that the incident is a second Seçil Erzan case, and that the incident has also been confirmed by MASAK, with approximately 200 million euros defrauded from around 900 people.

A company was established in the Çamlık neighborhood of Pamukkale district in 2022 by Ertuğrul Sezer, which was stated to provide services in the field of 'digital finance'. Ertuğrul Sezer, who introduced himself as a world-famous businessman and gained trust in the area, later claimed to represent a famous financial company based in Dubai in Denizli, calling on investors with promises of high profits. Ertuğrul Sezer collected money from many people, especially expatriates in countries such as Turkey, France, Belgium, New Zealand, and Switzerland, ranging from 20,000 euros to 300,000 euros. Allegedly, investors were promised a monthly profit share of 15% on their invested money and 5 times the principal amount annually. Additionally, each investor was promised a 10% payment for referrals. After a while, when those who invested money realized they were defrauded because they could not receive their profit shares and the money they invested, they filed complaints against Ertuğrul Sezer and those who were alleged to have acted with him, including Sibel T. (35), Hicabi P. (29), Volkan Çark (27), and Tolga D. (26).

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR 3 FUGITIVE SUSPECTS

As part of the investigation initiated by the Denizli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, teams from the Provincial Police Department's Public Order Branch conducted an operation against the suspects on October 4. In the operation, Ertuğrul Sezer and Volkan Çark were detained. An arrest warrant was issued for the other 3 suspects who were determined to have fled abroad. After their procedures at the police station, Ertuğrul Sezer and Volkan Çark were arrested by the court.

'THE DEFRAUDED MONEY IS MULTIPLE TIMES MORE THAN THE SEÇİL ERZAN CASE'

Anıl Aba, the lawyer for the Turkish and foreign victims defrauded in France, pointed out that the amount of money involved in this fraud is many times greater than the amounts in the Seçil Erzan case. Lawyer Anıl Aba stated that a similar fraud known to the public as the Seçil Erzan case occurred in Denizli, saying, "The people who established the company here claim that the company is based in Dubai. They set up a system promising high profits to investors and include many people from Turkey and various countries in Europe in this system. As far as we know, approximately 900 people have been included in the system. However, so far, only 48 people from Turkey and Europe have filed complaints about being defrauded. Most have not complained, believing they will not get their money back. In this fraud case, amounts are mentioned that are many times greater than those in the case known to the public as the Seçil Erzan case. As we learned, money amounting to 200 million euros has been defrauded from 900 people. We, as the lawyers of these defrauded individuals, have filed a criminal complaint. The Denizli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has been conducting a meticulous investigation for a year. The Fraud Bureau teams have also been monitoring the case. Additionally, the MASAK report indicated that money laundering occurred, and the amounts deposited and withdrawn from the suspects' bank accounts do not conform to the ordinary course of life. In the police operation, 2 people were arrested. The others have fled abroad, and arrest warrants have been issued for them as well. We are also waiting for a red notice to be issued for them," he said.

THE MASAK REPORT REVEALED MONEY LAUNDERING

Gizem Öğür, one of the lawyers for some of the defrauded individuals, stated that the MASAK report mentioned money transfers reaching 50 million lira in a single transaction, saying, "We have been following this case for about a year. Finally, the MASAK report came, and 2 of the suspected individuals who were captured were arrested. The MASAK report indicates that there are money transfer flows between 20 and 50 million lira intended to be sent abroad. It has been stated that this money falls under the category of income obtained from crime in the MASAK report. In this case we are pursuing for fraud, the MASAK report has also revealed that the suspects committed the crime of money laundering," she said.