Turkish police seize fake gold worth tens of millions in Istanbul

Turkish police have seized a large quantity of counterfeit gold along with equipment used in its production in Istanbul, with the total value of the confiscated materials estimated at around 28 million Turkish Lira (approximately $620,000).

The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said two suspects have also been detained, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Authorities said the operation was carried out by Istanbul gendarmerie units under the coordination of the prosecutor’s office as part of an investigation into the counterfeiting of precious metals and possible organised criminal activity.

During a search in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu district, officers discovered 1,530 fake gold items and bars weighing 1, 5, and 10 grams, with a total weight of around 4.25 kilograms.

Investigators also seized approximately 280 plastic moulds, 13 metal moulds, more than 1,000 packaging materials for counterfeit gold, a pressing machine, as well as cutting and perforation equipment.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov