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2 clusters · 36 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Extortion activities by criminal groups in Istanbul

Overview

In September 2026, an indictment from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office detailed extortion tactics used by the ‘Şapkalılar’ (The Hatters) criminal organization in the Nişantaşı district. The group, led by Volkan Ramazan Ayhan, allegedly targeted business owners for a ‘fine’ of 10 million euros. Tactics included armed attacks on workplaces and residences, as well as psychological intimidation, such as using a dessert vehicle to display a symbolic message implying a victim's death.

By October 2026, Istanbul authorities launched a separate operation against the ‘Çirkinler’ armed criminal organization following extortion attempts against the owners of Zen Pırlanta. Coordinated by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation revealed that the group used international phone numbers to send threats, including claims they would blow up the victims' vehicles. The group also reportedly intimidated victim Mehmet Diribaş by providing his personal information to hotel staff at his place of residence.

Following an operation by the Istanbul Police Department's Organized Crime Branch, five suspects were detained. During searches, police seized narcotics, precision scales, and digital evidence containing organizational correspondence related to the extortion attempts. The suspects have been referred to the courthouse with requests for arrest on charges including membership in an organized crime group and qualified robbery.

Entities

Nişantaşı · Istanbul 4th Enforcement Law Court · Istanbul Police Department · Bakırköy Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı · Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

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Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 34 sources
    Istanbul judicial bribery probe leads to arrests and suspensions

    Istanbul authorities have arrested eight suspects and suspended five judges and prosecutors in a major investigation into organized bribery and judicial interference occurring between 2022 and 2024.

  2. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Istanbul gang uses armed attacks and symbolic threats to extort millions

    The ‘Şapkalılar’ gang in Istanbul used extortion, armed attacks, and psychological threats, including a symbolic dessert vehicle, to demand 10 million euros from local business owners.

Sources

aksam.com.tr · avrupagazete.co.uk · aydinpost.com · baskentgazete.com.tr · benguturk.com · boldmedya.com · bolgegazetesivan.com · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · elazigsonhaber.com · f5haber.com · gazetepencere.com · gzt.com · haber16.com · haberport.com · istanbulgazetesi.com.tr · karakartal.com · karsmanset.com · kibrisnethaber.com · konhaber.com · m.takvim.com.tr · malatyaguncel.com · mucadelegazetesi.com.tr · odatv4.com · safakgazete.com · son.tv · sondakika.com · sondakikakibris.com · takagazete.com.tr · tgrthaber.com · turkgun.com · vanhabergazetesi.com · wanhaber.com · yenicaggazetesi.com.tr · yenikonya.com.tr · yenimesaj.com.tr · yenisafak.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history