Muğla fraud crackdown nets six arrests in 142‑million‑lira scheme

Turkish authorities completed a coordinated operation against an organised fraud network that pretended to offer investment and real‑estate consulting. The investigation, led by the Ortaca public prosecutor’s office together with Muğla police, intelligence and organised‑crime units, resulted in simultaneous raids in Muğla’s Ortaca, Bodrum and Dalaman districts, as well as in Malatya and Istanbul.

Six suspects were taken into custody and sent to prison, while eight others were released under judicial control. Prosecutors say the group defrauded approximately 142 million Turkish lira from citizens by promising high returns on property and investment deals, then laundering the proceeds through relatives’ property titles, crypto‑exchange accounts and a network of companies. Seized assets include two unlicensed firearms, 567 rounds of ammunition, six checks worth a total of 25 million TL, six promissory notes totalling 1.06 million TL, a land title, 13 sales contracts, 27 vehicles, 51 real‑estate properties, bank accounts, safe‑deposit boxes, cryptocurrency holdings and four companies.

The crackdown also uncovered a link to the brother of a well‑known businessperson from Malatya, highlighting the reach of the scheme into influential circles.