Türkiye detains 61 suspects in nationwide operation against cybercrime networks

ISTANBUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have detained 61 suspects in a nationwide operation targeting cybercrime networks involved in large-scale online fraud, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Wednesday.

In a post on X, Yerlikaya said the operations were conducted over the past 10 days in coordination with the Gendarmerie General Command's Department of Fight Against Cyber Crimes and Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, spanning nine provinces including Erzurum, Ordu, Sinop, and Ankara.

He added that 27 of the suspects have been arrested, 17 others placed under judicial control, and legal proceedings for the remaining suspects are ongoing.

Yerlikaya said the suspects were found to have carried out financial transactions totaling 200 million Turkish liras (4.78 million U.S. dollars).

Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly defrauded citizens through fake social media accounts and fraudulent websites, promoting schemes such as "gift card campaigns" and "furniture sales." They also reportedly used illegal online data query systems to obtain personal information and hacked social media accounts to spread terrorist propaganda, Yerlikaya said.

The minister reaffirmed that Türkiye will continue its efforts to combat organized networks engaged in fraud and other crimes through information systems and social media. Enditem