Turkish media reveals details of Turkish Mossad agent operating in Europe

The spy network, led by insurance company owner Ahmet Ersin Tumlucali, comprised nine members. According to details revealed by the Sabah Daily, the network was involved in tracking and photographing foreign nationals targeted by Mossad across various European countries.

The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) recently dismantled a Mossad spy network operating primarily in Germany, Georgia and Türkiye. This operation follows MIT’s previous successes in exposing numerous Mossad collaborators within Türkiye.

Eight members of the spy ring were apprehended in a significant operation in Istanbul last April. Six were arrested on charges of “obtaining confidential state information for political or military espionage.”

Two suspects were released under judicial control, while a Lebanese suspect remains at large. The investigation revealed that the network tracked and photographed foreign nationals, transmitting the information to Mossad.

MIT’s coordinated effort

This operation marked MIT’s first successful dismantling of a spy network operating outside Türkiye. The operation was coordinated by the MIT Regional Counter-Intelligence Department in Istanbul, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Istanbul Police Department’s Counter-Terrorism Unit.

Network dates back to 2011

The origins of this spy network date back to 2011, when a Mossad handler using the code name ‘Jorg’ established contact with Tumlucali. Jorg, who resided in Belgium, initially posed as an assistant to a lawyer and engaged Tumlucali through email and Skype.

Over time, another Mossad handler, ‘Gavin,’ took over the communication with Tumlucali. The handlers assigned Tumlucali to various surveillance tasks, gradually increasing in complexity.

Besides operations in Europe, the network conducted surveillance in Georgia and Lebanon. In Türkiye, they tracked and photographed three foreign nationals targeted by Mossad, passing the information to their handlers.

Role of family members

Benan Tumlucali assisted in reporting the surveillance activities, personally delivering reports to Mossad handlers Jorg and Gavin. Following Mossad’s directives, Ahmet Ersin Tumlucali also conducted surveillance activities in Georgia in early 2019.

Family members involved

• Wife: Benan Tumlucali
• Stepdaughter: Dila Sultan Simsek
• Son: Erkan Tumlucali
• Sister-in-law: Berna Cetin

The successful dismantling of this spy network by MIT underscores the complex and extensive nature of international espionage activities and the continuous efforts by intelligence agencies to safeguard national security.