Turkish police bust counterfeit currency ring, seize over $7M in fake bills

Türkiye’s Mersin Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit (KOM) in Silifke District has dismantled a counterfeit currency ring consisting of three individuals who were printing and attempting to circulate fake U.S. dollars. A total of $7.1 million in counterfeit bills were seized during the operation.

After conducting a detailed investigation, the police arrested H.U., Y.T., and A.T. H.U., identified by their initials. The ring was found to be operating a printing press for counterfeit dollars, while Y.T. was involved in circulating the fake money, and A.T. was responsible for distributing it to other cities.

Courier arrested in operation

A.T., who was under surveillance, was apprehended during a police operation at the Mersin bus station. The police seized $132,000 in counterfeit $100 bills and a flash drive containing the counterfeit printing templates.

Fake dollars seized at printing press

The other two suspects were arrested at their identified locations. In a search of the printing press operated by H.U., authorities discovered $2.14 million in counterfeit bills, 4.8 million sheets of paper ready for printing and coloring, five counterfeit bill printing machines, two money counting machines, one control device, and two hard drives.

Suspects remain in custody

The total amount of counterfeit money that was ready to be circulated was $2.3 million and the amount still in the printing process was $7.1 million.

The three suspects, after providing statements to the police, were referred to the court and subsequently arrested by the judge.