Turkish authorities continue to investigate an international investment fraud network accused of stealing some $3 billion, which local media has called an “international network linked to Israel.”
Some Turkish media outlets go a step further, linking it directly to Israel’s government, with some even portraying the fraud as part of a “Mossad network,” claims that do not appear in the official statement from the Turkish Ministry of Justice.
According to an official update published by the Anadolu Agency, 201 suspects were arrested, including nine Israeli citizens. Forty-five of those detained were foreign nationals from 20 different countries.
Alona Notes Punkt, an Israeli citizen who, according to Turkish media, allegedly handled the financial side of the fraud network’s operations.
It was also reported in Turkey that two additional Israelis had been arrested in the raids, bringing the total number of Israelis detained to 11, though these numbers have not been confirmed by any Turkish officials. The names of the Israelis arrested reportedly are: Anton Bihun, Jenny Kan, Hamza Guneyli, Ilker Hasson, Caroline Hasson, Sami Tovim, Yako Benhabib, Jacques Levy, Amit Yigal, Jacques Tovim, and Alona Notes Punkt.
Companies linked to the fraud ring presented fictitious profits
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek described the operation as a "major blow to an international fraud network linked to Israel."
Findings from inquiries led by MASAK (Turkey’s financial crimes investigation board), Turkey’s MIT intelligence service, the police, and Interpol revealed that individuals with connections to Israel held high stakes in the companies under investigation for fraud.
Prosecutors said call centers and companies operating in Turkey offered foreign nationals investment in Forex and cryptocurrencies while presenting fictitious profits.
When clients sought to withdraw their funds, they were allegedly required to make additional payments under various pretexts.
Turkish media outlets have characterized the story as a “Mossad fraud network,” with one outlet titled “A UN-like gang: 20 countries in the Mossad’s fraud network.”
According to Turkey’s last official update, nine Israelis have been arrested in connection with the affair. Turkish media reported the arrest of two additional Israelis, although their names remain unverified by authorities.