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Five of ten suspects detained in Türkiye on charges of defrauding a Russian-Slovak investor of about €197 million ($227.5 million) through a fraudulent investment scheme have been referred to court with a request for arrest, according to prosecutors in Istanbul.
The investigation, launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, followed a complaint filed by a businessperson holding dual Russian and Slovak citizenship who reported being deceived by a group offering fake investment opportunities in Türkiye.
The suspects are accused of creating falsified documents and using illicit commercial transactions and property transfers to obscure the money trail.
Authorities said the suspects allegedly convinced the victim to transfer nearly €197 million for supposed investment projects in Türkiye. One suspect was released after questioning, while an arrest warrant has been requested for another fugitive believed to be abroad.
Following the prosecutor’s request, nine suspects were transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse for further proceedings. Of these, five were referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for detention, while four others were recommended for judicial control measures pending trial.
The suspects face multiple charges, including "qualified fraud," "laundering assets obtained through crime," "forgery of official and private documents," and "forming or leading a criminal organization." Police had detained 10 of the 12 individuals named in the investigation during an operation conducted on Tuesday, while efforts to locate the remaining suspects continue.
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