The Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced on social media that they are closely monitoring those who commit sophisticated fraud using information systems. The Kaş Public Prosecutor’s Office, coordinated by the Gendarmerie General Command Cyber Crimes Unit, carried out the “Sibergöz-35” operation in 13 provinces, including Antalya, Adana, Balıkesir, Batman, Hatay, Istanbul, Kocaeli, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, and Tekirdağ.
The suspects who committed the crime of sophisticated fraud using information systems were found to have used fake TURSAB certificates in order to gain trust on their fake websites and social media accounts. They conducted detailed reconnaissance on villas located in Kaş, Kalkan, Finike, Patara, Adrasan, Çıralı, and Olympos regions, and defrauded 110 citizens who wanted to rent these villas by pretending to be the owners of these villas, receiving payments through the Havale/EFT method.
Furthermore, it was determined that there was a movement of 500 million TL in the suspects’ bank accounts. As a result of the operations, a large amount of digital material was seized. Minister Yerlikaya congratulated the Kaş Public Prosecutor’s Office and the heroic gendarmerie for their successful operations, expressing his hopes for their continued success and the support of the nation.
The “SİBERGÖZ-35” operations conducted by the Gendarmerie in 13 provinces led to the capture of 48 suspects who had committed the crime of sophisticated fraud using information systems. Minister Yerlikaya highlighted the importance of monitoring and combating such criminal activities, emphasizing that they will not allow those who engage in fraudulent activities through information systems to go unpunished.
The operation revealed the extent of the suspects’ fraudulent activities, as they targeted unsuspecting individuals looking to rent villas in popular tourist destinations. By using fake documentation and creating a façade of legitimacy through fake websites and social media accounts, they were able to deceive a significant number of victims and unlawfully obtain payments through fraudulent means.
The successful outcome of the “Sibergöz-35” operation underscored the government’s commitment to combating cyber crimes and protecting citizens from falling victim to online fraud. The Minister’s statement praising the efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors involved in the operation reflects the importance of collaboration and coordination in addressing the evolving challenges posed by cyber criminals in the digital age. By swiftly responding to such criminal activities, authorities are able to prevent further harm and ensure the safety and security of the public.
