Turkish police bust fake‑dollar ATM fraud network

Police from Istanbul’s Cyber Crime Unit carried out simultaneous raids in six Turkish provinces – Artvin, Bursa, Edirne, Samsun, Diyarbakır and Istanbul – and arrested nine suspects suspected of operating an organized scheme that inserted high‑quality counterfeit 50‑US‑dollar notes into bank ATMs. The counterfeit notes were promptly withdrawn as Turkish‑lira cash, laundering a total of about $102,750.

Investigators said the network used disguises such as hats, large‑frame glasses and medical masks to avoid camera detection. Digital forensics traced the money’s movement through the ATM and cash‑counting machines, leading to the coordinated operation that dismantled the fraud ring.

The suspects remain in custody pending further judicial proceedings.