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In Kusadasi, a coastal district of Türkiye's Aydin, a major fraud operation was uncovered by the provincial gendarmerie teams under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects used the "mail order" method to carry out large-scale credit card fraud.
The investigation, led by authorities in Aydin, resulted in coordinated raids across Mugla, Izmir, Antalya, and Istanbul. The operation was launched following a report from a public bank, which flagged suspicious activity in the accounts of clients living abroad. Gendarmerie units traced the transactions and tracked the money flow.
The fraudulent transactions were traced to POS devices at two hotels in Kusadasi. The prime suspect, hotel owner H.O., allegedly obtained credit card details from tourists who had made reservations. These details were then shared with associated businesses, including other hotels and car rental companies.
Authorities revealed that after the tourists returned to their countries, their credit cards were charged repeatedly as though services were rendered. The total fraudulent amount reached ₺1.15 billion ($29.27 million). Some gang members reportedly traveled abroad to obtain additional card information, which was then used in the scheme. The illicit gains were laundered through front companies.
The funds were transferred between accounts in small amounts, using a laundering technique known as “smurfing,” to avoid detection. Some of the money was also invested in real estate, which was later sold and converted into cash.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that on May 31, 27 addresses were raided as part of the Aydin-based operation. Twenty suspects, including the alleged ringleader H.O., were taken into custody. Initial findings show that at least 268 foreign tourists were defrauded.
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