Red notice issued for six people in Çiftlik Bank investigation: Prosecutor’s office

ISTANBUL

Turkish authorities have issued a red notice for a total of six people regarding an investigation into “Çiftlik Bank,” an online-game-inspired Ponzi scheme, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on April 19, basing its report on a written statement issued by the Istanbul Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Accordingly, Turkey has requested the extradition of Osman Naim Kaya and Düzgün Genç, two suspects from Uruguay and Bulgaria.

The prosecutor’s office has also said an investigation has been opened into 33 people so far, as one was released following testimony, 13 have been arrested, four suspects stand trial under a judicial control decision, and 15 suspects are on the run, six of which are sought with a red notice.

The online simulation game “Çiftlik Bank” (“Farm Bank” in Turkish) was launched in 2016, inspired by the social media game, FarmVille.

The game’s victims were lured into investing their money in virtual animals and crops, as the creator of the game, Mehmet Aydın, promised high rates of return. Aydın had then claimed he was going to open Europe’s biggest dairy farm with the proceeds.

Following complaints by its users, Turkish authorities have recently arrested a number of suspects. Aydın then allegedly fled abroad with more than $100 million in cash and cryptocurrency.