Massive Operation “SİBERGÖZ-44” Leads to Arrest of 107 Suspects Engaged in Fraudulent Activities across 14 Cities
İstanbul and Kocaeli, Türkiye – In a massive crackdown operation dubbed “SİBERGÖZ-44,” the Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that 107 suspects involved in establishing 45 different shell companies with transactions amounting to 3 billion TL have been apprehended across 14 cities.
Utilizing advanced cyber patrols, authorities are relentless in their fight against cybercrime. Ali Yerlikaya’s social media post emphasized the determination of their efforts by stating, “We are on the heels of those committing qualified fraud using information systems. Our cyber patrols are on duty 24/7. We will continue to fight cybercrimes and criminals with determination!”
The operation was coordinated by the General Directorate of Security’s Cyber Crimes Department, in cooperation with the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and the Provincial Police Cyber Crime Departments. The large-scale raids were conducted in Istanbul, Kocaeli, Ankara, Aydın, Gaziantep, Düzce, İzmir, Hatay, Diyarbakır, Kayseri, Trabzon, Ağrı, Balıkesir, and Eskişehir.
**Istanbul Segment:**
Following investigations by the Istanbul Provincial Police Cyber Crime Department, suspects involved in sophisticated fraud and setting up criminal organizations were targeted in Istanbul and other cities including Ankara and Aydın. They lured victims via social media under the guise of “Forex Investment, High Earnings” and coerced them into downloading mobile apps like “Radiant Capital, FED, IND Yatırım, Winner Financial,” swindling approximately 5 million TL from 10 complainants and running 45 shell companies with 3 billion TL in transactions. A total of 96 suspects were detained.
**Kocaeli Segment:**
The Kocaeli Provincial Police Cyber Crime Department also executed successful operations targeting suspects involved in “Qualified Fraud and Laundering of Assets Acquired from Crime” in Ağrı, Istanbul, Balıkesir, and Eskişehir. The suspects posted fake ads on e-commerce sites for items like “Forklift, Trailer Caravan,” extracting money from 12 complainants under pretense of “Product Payment, Deposit Fee,” leading to 11 arrests.
**Operation Results:**
Authorities seized 4 illegal firearms, significant amounts of foreign currency and Turkish Lira, and numerous digital materials during the operations.
Minister Ali Yerlikaya commended the heroic officers and MASAK for their successful efforts, saying, “I congratulate our heroic police and MASAK. May God keep you safe. The prayers of our nation are with you.”
*Istanbul and Kocaeli centered in 14 cities, 45 shell companies, 107 suspects detained in “SİBERGÖZ-44” operation, 3 billion TL transactions.*
*Using information systems for qualified fraud.*