Türkiye is discussing a massive fraud amounting to 200 million euros. Allegedly, individuals claiming to be representatives of a famous Dubai-based financial company collected money ranging from 20,000 to 300,000 euros from many people, particularly expatriates living in Europe, with promises of high profit shares.
Following a tip-off to the police, an operation was conducted against those accused of committing approximately 200 million euros in fraud. During the operation, Ertuğrul Sezer (39) was detained, and one of his associates, Volkan Çark (27), was arrested. Efforts are ongoing to capture three other suspects who are currently at large. The victims’ lawyer, Anıl Aba, stated that this incident resembles the Seçil Erzan case and confirmed that the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) has validated the situation, indicating that around 200 million euros were defrauded from approximately 900 individuals.
According to a report by the DHA news agency, a company was established in 2022 in the Pamukkale district of Denizli by Ertuğrul Sezer, claiming to provide services in the field of ‘digital finance.’ Presenting himself as a world-renowned businessman, Sezer gained trust and later claimed to represent a famous Dubai-based financial company in Denizli, calling for investments with promises of high returns.
Ertuğrul Sezer collected money from many individuals, especially expatriates in countries such as Türkiye, France, Belgium, New Zealand, and Switzerland, ranging from 20,000 to 300,000 euros. Allegedly, investors were promised a monthly return of 15% on their investments and five times their principal amount annually. Additionally, each investor was promised a 10% payment for bringing in new investors.
After a while, when those who invested their money realized they could not receive their profit shares or the money they had invested, they understood they had been defrauded and filed complaints against Ertuğrul Sezer and his associates, Sibel T. (35), Hicabi P. (29), Volkan Çark (27), and Tolga D. (26).
The Denizli Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office conducted an operation against the suspects on October 4. During the operation, Ertuğrul Sezer and Volkan Çark were detained. Arrest warrants were issued for the other three suspects who were found to have fled abroad. After their processing at the police station, Ertuğrul Sezer and Volkan Çark were arrested by the court.
Gizem Öğür, a lawyer for some of the defrauded individuals, stated that the MASAK report indicated money transfers reaching up to 50 million lira in a single transaction. “We have been following this case for about a year. Finally, the MASAK report arrived, and two of the suspects were arrested. The MASAK report indicates that there were money transfer flows between 20 and 50 million lira intended to be sent abroad. It has been stated in the MASAK report that this money falls under the category of proceeds from crime. In this case of fraud, the MASAK report also revealed that the suspects committed money laundering offenses,” she said.