TRNC Fraudsters Exploit Names of Brothers Missing in Shipwreck
In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, scammers have exploited a vessel sinking to solicit funds under the guise of helping the family of the missing Demir brothers.
Abdulrahman Sadikhli2 min read
Cases of fraud linked to the sinking of a passenger vessel traveling from Girne to Mersin have been recorded in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Scammers used the names of 33-year-old Mustafa Demir and 28-year-old Mahmut Demir, who went missing when the ship sank, to illegally collect money.
The family of the missing brothers, residing in the Harran neighborhood of the Reyhanlı district in Hatay province, continues to await news. Alongside the pain of losing contact with their relatives, they have confronted fraudsters who are publishing bank account numbers (IBANs) and claiming that the sailors' relatives require financial assistance.
“My brothers Mahmut and Mustafa are missing, and they constantly demand money, spreading IBANs in their name. They claim they have contacted our family and that we need help, attempting to deceive people. Addressing all of Turkey, I want to say: please do not believe these scammers. Thank God, we do not need anyone's money; the state and our relatives are with us,” stated Halil Demir, brother of the missing men.
The relatives urged the public to remain vigilant, refrain from transferring money to suspicious account details, and ignore appeals for aid. The family demanded that law enforcement agencies identify the individuals behind the illegal fundraising.
“They are demanding aid in the names of Mahmut and Mustafa Demir. We haven't even recovered their bodies yet, and the scammers are already collecting money from people. Nobody should believe them,” emphasized İbrahim Demir.
Source: cnnturk.com
