02.06.2026 11:50
New details have emerged in the massive fraud operation where a money movement of 60 billion lira was detected, and trustees were appointed to 4 companies and 15 fuel stations. It was determined that the suspects created fake investment groups by using the names and images of DenizBank General Manager Recep Baştuğ and investment expert İslam Memiş to convince citizens.
New details have emerged in the massive fraud operation centered in Istanbul, which was conducted across 27 provinces and involved the detection of a 60 billion lira money movement. According to allegations in the investigation file, suspects used the names and images of DenizBank General Manager Recep Baştuğ and investment expert İslam Memiş without permission to gain the trust of citizens.
THEY ESTABLISHED FAKE INVESTMENT GROUPS
In the investigation carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Cyber Crime Branch Directorate, it was determined that the suspects created so-called investment groups through digital communication platforms.
According to the investigation file, fraudsters used the names and photos of Recep Baştuğ and İslam Memiş to make high-profit promises to citizens. Thus, they were found to have attempted to gain the trust of people wanting to invest.
269 VICTIMS, 600 MILLION LIRA IN LOSSES
As part of the efforts of cyber police teams, 269 victims have been identified so far. According to information in the file, the total loss of the victims was determined to be approximately 600 million lira.
To uncover the activities of the suspects, analysis reports prepared by MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) and the Revenue Administration, along with financial account movements, were also examined.
60 BILLION LIRA MONEY MOVEMENT DETECTED
In examinations conducted within the scope of the investigation, it was revealed that there was a transaction volume of approximately 60 billion lira in the personal and company accounts of the suspects.
It was assessed that, to obscure the trail of the money, proceeds from the fraud were transferred to cryptocurrency exchanges and cold wallets through 76 shell companies, with some being withdrawn as cash.
COMPANIES TO WHICH MONEY WAS TRANSFERRED IN THE FILE
In line with findings from financial examinations, it was determined that the money was transferred to some companies operating in the sectors of petroleum, energy, gas distribution, and foreign exchange.
As part of the investigation, companies named Mertay Energy, Maskolo Energy, Unipet Energy and Gas Distribution, and Enka Currency Gold were put under scrutiny.
RECEIVERSHIP PROCESS FOR BILLIONS OF LIRA IN ASSETS
Within the framework of the investigation, procedures are ongoing for the appointment of a receiver to 4 companies, 15 fuel stations, and one fuel and LPG filling facility, with a total estimated value of 4 billion 606 million lira.
It was also stated that blocking and annotation procedures will be applied to the suspects' bank accounts, crypto assets, movable and immovable properties.
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