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Trial Opens in Frankfurt Over €6 Million Call-Center Investment Fraud and Drug Trade

Prosecutors describe a Turkish call-center scheme linked to a wider network under ongoing investigation.

Overview

  • Judges read the indictment on March 17 at the Frankfurt regional court as four men and one woman declined to comment.
  • Prosecutors charge three defendants with organized, commercial investment fraud and two with narcotics trafficking.
  • Investigators say callers posing as securities brokers from Turkey lured victims into bogus investments, with alleged payouts of about €50,000, €162,000 and €171,000 on 15% commissions.
  • Authorities estimate the network obtained more than €6 million between May 2019 and March 2021 and allegedly joined an international gang in 2020.
  • Further inquiries target additional suspects, including a presumed money launderer and an associate identified as a Hells Angels member, with hearings set to continue in April.