Arrest of Israelis in Turkey - case takes unexpected turn
Turkish law enforcement is investigating a massive fraud network involving Israelis. At the center of the case is Yigal Amit, suspected of organizing 42 call centers that fraudulently extracted savings from Europeans. The damage could amount to billions of euros.
Turkish law enforcement agencies are investigating a massive fraud network at the center of which is Israeli Yigal Amit, who also holds Portuguese citizenship. According to the investigation, behind the facade of investment companies lay a network of 42 call centers whose employees tricked people into investing their savings in fictitious investment platforms. Special attention was paid to the elderly and pensioners. Operators posed as brokers from London, New York, and Frankfurt, promising high returns from currency and cryptocurrency trading. The platforms merely simulated real trading terminals. The large-scale operation began on September 18: searches were conducted at 286 addresses in Istanbul and Mugla province. By September 21, 211 detainees were brought to court. Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed receiving information about the detention of several Israeli citizens. Investigators are studying the money laundering routes through European companies and cryptocurrency accounts. The network's operating expenses over two years are estimated at 13 billion lira (about $266 million). The total damage to victims could amount to billions of euros, but the final amount has not yet been confirmed.