Turkey busts Israel-linked 'scam empire' behind alleged $266m fraud

Turkish security forces have dismantled an Israel-linked fraudulent trading network accused of defrauding individuals across Europe, the Far East, and Africa of a staggering $266 million over the past two years. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the bust, revealing that the investigation targeted 42 call centres run by 28 companies and involved 239 suspects.

The operation, conducted in coordination with Turkey's National Intelligence Organization and Interpol, led to dawn raids at 236 locations in Istanbul and Mugla. The fraudulent network was uncovered after it was discovered that individuals with ties to Israel were the primary owners and beneficiaries of the implicated companies, according to Turkish prosecutors.