Eskişehir organized loan shark ring accused of 90 million lira fraud

An organized loan shark ring operating under the guise of a vehicle dealership in Eskişehir, Turkey, is under investigation for allegedly defrauding local tradespeople of between 80 and 90 million lira.

The scheme reportedly targeted small business owners unable to secure bank loans. Suspects allegedly provided initial cash support at seemingly low rates, only to exponentially increase the debt through various excuses. Specific allegations include demanding 5.5 million lira in exchange for 1.5 million lira, and 12 million lira in exchange for a 1.2 million lira promissory note.

Victims and their legal representative, attorney Tenzile Samut, report facing severe intimidation, including threats of arson, shootings, and kidnapping. There are also allegations that individuals falsely identified themselves as lawyers to pressure tradespeople during enforcement actions and misled execution office officials to extract additional payments and security notes.