Türkiye Dismantles Israel-Linked International Scam Network

Türkiye has launched a sweeping operation against what Justice Minister Akın Gürlek described as an Israel-linked international fraud network operating through call centers and fraudulent investment platforms.

Gürlek said authorities had detained 175 suspects by 10 a.m. after simultaneous operations targeting 286 addresses in Istanbul and Muğla.

Authorities identified 239 suspects in total, while search and detention efforts remained under way.

The investigation covers 28 companies and 42 call centers allegedly used to target foreign nationals through forex and cryptocurrency investment advertisements.

Israel Links Identified

Gürlek said financial intelligence, security investigations and hundreds of victim complaints obtained through Interpol had exposed the network's ownership structure.

According to the minister, individuals with links to Israel were prominent among the owners and ultimate beneficiaries of the companies under investigation.

The findings pointed to an organized operation targeting victims across several countries, he said.

The investigation was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office bureau responsible for terrorist financing and money laundering cases.

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization, or MİT, Istanbul police cybercrime units, and organized crime authorities were also involved.

Fake Returns Used to Draw in Victims

Investigators found that multilingual call center employees were used to bring prospective victims into the investment system, according to Gürlek.

The suspects allegedly displayed fictitious profits on investment platforms they controlled, encouraging victims to deposit increasingly large amounts.

When clients tried to withdraw their money, the network demanded additional payments, citing account freezes and taxes, the minister said.

The network then transferred funds deposited by victims to overseas bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets.

Network Targeted Multiple Regions

The operation allegedly targeted people across Europe, the Far East and Africa, among other regions.

Gürlek said transactions believed to represent only office expenses and salary payments reached about TL13bn over a two-year period, indicating the scale of the organization.

Istanbul prosecutors opened the four investigations underpinning Friday's operation in 2026.

MASAK, Türkiye's financial crimes investigation authority, contributed financial analysis, while MİT and police units supplied additional findings.

Hundreds of victim complaints obtained through Interpol were also examined during the investigation.

286 Addresses Raided

Authorities began simultaneous operations at 5 a.m. against the companies, call centers and suspects identified in the investigations.

Raids on the call centers were carried out by 10 a.m., Gürlek said, with Interpol units also participating in the operation.

“We dealt a major blow to an Israel-linked international fraud network,” Gürlek wrote in announcing the operation.

He said efforts to locate remaining suspects were continuing.