Major Cyber Crime Operation in 14 Provinces: 306 Detentions, Numerous Arrests

Coordinated by the Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü Siber Suçlarla Mücadele Daire Başkanlığı, in cooperation with MASAK and Cumhuriyet Başsavcılıkları, a very comprehensive operation was conducted across Turkey. Simultaneous operations carried out in 14 different provinces marked a significant turning point in the fight against cyber crime. Teams from the Siber Suçlarla Mücadele Şube Müdürlükleri within the İl Emniyet Müdürlükleri took action to strike a blow against the financial resources and digital activities of criminal organizations. In operations conducted primarily in Bursa, Kayseri, Adana, Sakarya, Istanbul, Malatya, Düzce, Batman, Kocaeli, Çorum, Mersin, Şanlıurfa, Siirt, and Kırıkkale, a total of 306 suspects were caught and detained.

The referral procedures for the detained suspects to judicial authorities were completed swiftly, and out of the suspects referred to the courthouse, 18 were arrested by the court and sent to prison. It was stated that the suspects for whom arrest warrants were issued were brought before the judge according to the nature of the crime and the state of evidence. It was learned that judicial control measures were applied for 16 other suspects outside of those arrested, releasing them under supervision conditions. It was reported that the proceedings of the other suspects caught within the scope of the operation continue at the police department and their statements are being taken.

The accusations forming the main purpose of the operation span a very wide spectrum, and it was determined that the suspects committed crimes using different methods in the digital world. Serious findings were reached that the suspects hosted and disseminated content containing child abuse in online environments. Additionally, it was determined that they committed financial crimes by engaging in usury via POS devices and gained unauthorized access to citizens' bank accounts. It was recorded that individuals were financially damaged through the hacking of mobile banking applications and game accounts, and the criminal organization generated income through these methods.

Another prominent issue among cyber fraud methods is the proliferation of illegal gambling and lottery organization. It emerged that the suspects supported these criminal activities by mediating the cash flow of money on illegal gambling sites and obtained crime revenue. It was determined that this organization did not limit itself to mediation but also tried to reach wider masses by advertising illegal gambling sites. It was stated that they carried out fraud activities by abusing the trust of citizens through traps they set up on social media platforms and phishing sites.

Fraud scenarios are generally constructed over current topics to attract the attention of citizens. It was determined that themes such as 'high-return investment fraud', 'internet modem fee payment', and 'ordered product price' were used, and money was requested from people deceived through these means. It was expressed that the suspects obtained material gain using these fake sites and campaigns, cut off communication and disappeared when victims transferred their money. The apprehension and delivery to justice of those involved in such crimes through this operation is considered an important step in terms of ensuring public safety.