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Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that 159 suspects were detained in an investment fraud investigation spanning 39 provinces. The operation, coordinated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and carried out by the Ankara Provincial Police Department, targeted individuals accused of defrauding citizens of their savings.

Gurlek said the suspects were linked to a money flow exceeding 6.656 billion lira and that 23 victims suffered a combined loss of 51,407,966 lira. Authorities found that criminal proceeds were transferred through bank accounts, gold dealers, cryptocurrency wallets and cold storage devices. Simultaneous raids were conducted in 39 provinces against 215 suspects.

Bank and crypto accounts belonging to the suspects have been seized, while examinations of five gold trading companies, including their sales, inventories, point-of-sale devices, bank transactions and tax records, are ongoing. Gurlek thanked the prosecutors and police involved and pledged that no attack on the public's earnings and savings would go unanswered.

Key Takeaways

• 159 suspects detained in simultaneous operations across 39 provinces targeting 215 people
• Suspects linked to money flows exceeding 6.656 billion lira; 23 victims lost over 51.4 million lira
• Bank and crypto accounts seized; investigation into five gold trading companies continues