Turkey Sentences Two Fraudster Brothers to 45,000 Years in Prison
A Turkish court has handed down an unprecedented sentence of 45,376 years in prison to Mehmet and Fatih Aydın, the masterminds behind Çiftlik Bank, a fraudulent investment scheme disguised as a farmer’s bank.
How Did the Scheme Work?
The Aydın brothers presented as an investment platform for farmers, promising guaranteed high returns. Their aggressive marketing attracted thousands of investors, who trusted the platform with their savings.
However, investigations revealed that there was no real business—it was a classic Ponzi scheme, where payouts to earlier investors were made using funds from new depositors.
How Many People Were Affected?
The scheme caused millions of dollars in losses, with 4,582 victims falling prey to the fraud.
Why Such a Long Sentence?
Under Turkish law, sentences are cumulative for each offense. As a result, the brothers were convicted on charges of mass fraud, money laundering, and running a criminal organization, leading to their historic prison terms.
What’s Next?
While in reality, Turkish law does not allow for such extreme sentences to be fully served, this ruling sends a strong message about the country’s commitment to fighting financial fraud.
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