In a major operation across Istanbul, the Cyber Crime Unit arrested 140 suspects involved in a sophisticated international Forex fraud ring targeting global investors.
The Cyber Crime Unit of the Istanbul Police Department has successfully dismantled a large-scale international investment fraud network. Acting under the direction of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities conducted a series of coordinated raids resulting in the arrest of 140 suspects, including 74 foreign nationals. The group is accused of operating a fraudulent "Forex" investment scheme primarily centered in the city’s Sariyer district.
The investigation revealed a highly organized criminal structure that utilized professional-grade call centers to solicit victims worldwide. By posing as legitimate financial advisors, the suspects lured individuals into depositing funds into fabricated trading platforms.
Forensic analysis of seized hardware and server logs identified several fraudulent domains used to facilitate the scam, including:
Many of the victims reported being unable to access their accounts or withdraw their initial capital once they attempted to realize their "profits."
During the operation, the Cyber Crime Unit seized a massive amount of digital evidence, including encrypted communication logs and specialized software used to manipulate market data on the fraudulent platforms. This bust was part of a broader, ten-day national initiative by the Ministry of Interior, which led to the apprehension of over 360 individuals involved in various cyber-financial crimes across 24 provinces.
Authorities emphasize that these groups often leverage the complexity of the Forex market to confuse non-professional investors. The Istanbul Police Department continues to urge the public to verify the credentials of any investment firm through official regulatory bodies, such as the Capital Markets Board (SPK), before transferring any assets.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı (AA)
