Istanbul Police Bust Down Payment Scam Targeting Apartment Seekers; 13 Arrested

Istanbul police have apprehended 13 suspects in connection with a fraudulent scheme that preyed on individuals seeking affordable housing. The operation, targeting "qualified fraud," uncovered a pattern where suspects advertised properties for sale at attractive prices on various websites, particularly in the Esenyurt district and other areas of Istanbul.

Prospective buyers who contacted the advertisers were then pressured to pay a deposit, or 'kapora,' for apartments that were either misrepresented or did not exist. This tactic allowed the suspects to defraud numerous individuals, leaving them without the promised properties or their deposited funds.

Following an investigation by the Public Order and Intelligence branches of the Istanbul Police Department, coordinated raids were executed simultaneously in Istanbul, Sinop, and Giresun. The 13 individuals detained are now undergoing processing at police headquarters as the investigation into their activities continues.