ISTANBUL — Turkish authorities have dismantled a major international fraud ring operating out of a covert call centre in Istanbul’s Maslak district, after an investigation triggered by information shared by Czech judicial officials, Justice Minister Akin Gürlek announced Friday.
Gürlek said the operation was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and supported by the Interior Ministry, reflecting Turkey's intensified efforts against cross‑border cyberfraud networks and money‑laundering schemes.
51 suspects detained in coordinated raids
Istanbul police detained 51 suspects in simultaneous raids across three locations, including the call center and residences linked to the group. The investigation began when Czech authorities relayed intelligence to Turkey's Interpol Department, prompting cybercrime teams to map the network’s activities.
According to officials, the suspects allegedly contacted victims in several European countries while impersonating police officers, judges, prosecutors, soldiers, bank employees and central bank officials. The group is accused of extracting large sums of money and attempting to launder the proceeds through bank accounts and cryptoasset platforms.
AI‑supported software used to deceive victims
Investigators determined that the call centre deployed artificial intelligence‑supported software to enhance the impersonation scheme, enabling callers to convincingly pose as European law‑enforcement or financial authorities.
Gürlek said the group “defrauded numerous Czech citizens and other Europeans,” describing the operation as a sophisticated, organized effort run primarily by foreign nationals.
Authorities found 80 foreign nationals inside the call centre during the raid, many allegedly involved in the network’s day‑to‑day operations.
A covert operation hidden behind intermediaries
Prosecutors said the office space had been rented through intermediary companies and lacked any visible corporate identity, a tactic believed to be aimed at concealing the organization’s activities. Technical and physical surveillance indicated that the Maslak call centre served as the network’s command hub.
Police seized numerous digital devices believed to contain evidence of the group’s operations. Forensic analysis of the hardware and software is ongoing as investigators work to identify additional victims and map the full financial footprint of the scheme.
Türkiye signals continued cross‑border cooperation
Gürlek praised the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and police teams involved in the operation, emphasizing Turkey's commitment to strengthening international cooperation against transnational crime.
“By enhancing our national and international coordination in the fight against crime, we will continue our determination to protect legal security and public order,” he said.
