On March 19, 2025, Istanbul erupted in chaos as authorities seized the construction company of jailed Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure, following his arrest on charges of bribery and terrorism ties. The move, branded a “coup attempt” by CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, ignited massive protests despite a ban, with police clashing with crowds near Taksim Square. As Turkey braces for further unrest, Imamoglu’s wife vowed to resist what she called a plot to erase the nation’s “future president.”
Tag: Financial crime
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) reported a surge in VAT fraud investigations across the EU, with over 2,600 active cases by the end of 2024—a 38% increase from the previous year. Estimated damages reached €24.8 billion, with over €13.15 billion linked to cross-border schemes. Greece ranked fifth among 22 EU countries, with 15 active investigations, while Germany and Italy topped the list. A major crackdown, Operation “Moby Dick,” uncovered extensive fraud networks in Italy, leading to seizures of luxury assets and bank accounts. Fraud linked to EU recovery funds also remains a growing concern.
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An elderly woman in Serres was scammed out of €30,000 after being tricked into believing her daughter was in a serious car accident. Convinced by a caller posing as a hospital director, she threw the money from her balcony, only to realize the fraud when her daughter arrived unharmed.
The Financial Police Directorate announced the dismantling of two separate criminal organizations involved in defrauding the National Organization for Provision of Healthcare Services (EOPYY) through fraudulent prescriptions, costing EOPYY over 3.5 million euros. Sixteen individuals, including doctors, pharmacists, and a pharmaceutical sales representative, were arrested for their involvement in the scheme.
The FBI is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Ruja Ignatova, the woman accused of masterminding the multi-billion dollar OneCoin cryptocurrency scam. Ignatova, who disappeared in 2017, is considered one of the world’s most wanted fugitives. Dubbed the “Cryptoqueen,” Ignatova rose to prominence promoting OneCoin as the next big thing in cryptocurrency. However, the scheme quickly unraveled, exposing it as an elaborate pyramid scheme that defrauded millions of investors globally out of an estimated $4 billion.
Officials in Greece have intercepted banknotes that were stolen from the Central Bank of Libya…
Serres, Greece – Nine individuals have been arrested in the northern town of Serres, Greece,…