Scammers exploit 5G hype in Türkiye, deceiving consumers with fake modems
A person poses holding a mobile telephone the camera showing a sign advertising 5G mobile telecommunication in a shop in London on January 28, 2020. (AFP Photo)
While 5G technology has not yet been introduced in Türkiye, scammers are exploiting it to deceive consumers.
Fraudsters falsely advertise “5G-enabled modems” and demand ₺3,000 (₺84.67) from unsuspecting individuals.
The 5G auction in Türkiye is scheduled for later in 2025, with 5G services expected to launch in 2024.
Despite this, scammers have been calling people from numbers starting with 850 and falsely claiming that 5G infrastructure is being developed in their neighborhoods. They then tell victims: “Your current modem is not compatible with 5G. If you don’t purchase a new one, your modem will be deactivated in 70 days.”
According to a report by Turkish media, scammers are asking for ₺3,000 (₺84.67) for the modem.
Some reports indicate that the fraudsters pressure victims by threatening, “If you don’t accept this price now, you’ll have to pay ₺5,000 (₺141.12) later.”
