Bursa police detain 12 in 1.4 billion TL cooperative fraud investigation

Police in Bursa, Turkey, have detained 12 suspects following an investigation into a massive cooperative fraud involving approximately 1.4 billion TL. The operation targeted four housing cooperatives—including Sağlıkçılar Konut Yapı Kooperatifi and Sağlıklı Nefes Tatil Evleri Kooperatifi—which allegedly promised homes to members but failed to deliver.

Authorities report that approximately 160 victims, primarily healthcare workers, were defrauded. The investigation suggests that suspects transferred cooperative funds into personal accounts and engaged in practices such as selling the same properties to multiple individuals. Some victims face losses of roughly 15 million TL each.

During simultaneous raids on 14 addresses, law enforcement seized 300,000 TL in cash, digital materials, and various corporate documents. Two additional suspects have reportedly fled abroad, and warrants have been issued for their arrest. The suspects face charges including qualified fraud, forgery of official documents, and embezzlement.