CYPRUS MIRROR
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Suspects Released on Bail in 6.3 Million TL Universal Bank Scam

Suspects Released on Bail in 6.3 Million TL Universal Bank Scam

In connection with a 6,298,366 TL embezzlement case involving Universal Bank in Güzelyurt, three suspects, including branch manager Fehime Canbolat, bank customer Özkan Derya, and bank employee Buket Şaşmacıoğlu, have been released on bail.

Publish Date: 22/07/24 13:12
reading time: 3 min.
Suspects Released on Bail in 6.3 Million TL Universal Bank Scam
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Police Officer Yaren Yemenicioğlu, from the Güzelyurt Criminal Investigation Branch, provided details in court. Yemenicioğlu stated that Fehime Canbolat, who served as the branch manager from 2021 to 2024, had used counterfeit payment orders to transfer funds from the bank's main vault to Derya's account, thereby facilitating the withdrawal of 6,298,366 TL by Özkan Derya.

The police also revealed that Canbolat, at Derya's urging, embezzled 1,244,411 TL, 23,805 euros, 61,793 pounds, and 11,526 dollars, which were meant to cover a cash shortage in the bank's vault but were never deposited into customer accounts.

On July 5, an employee of the bank noticed the discrepancy in accounts and reported it. Following this, the police interviewed 15 individuals, including five customers, and initiated an investigation.

The suspects were arrested on July 18 and appeared in court the next day, where they were placed under a 3-day detention order. Buket Şaşmacıoğlu, another employee of the bank, was subsequently arrested on charges related to the crime. Şaşmacıoğlu was found to have facilitated the payment of Derya’s checks by transferring funds to Aydın Derya's non-interest-bearing account.

The police reported that Şaşmacıoğlu failed to deposit cash received from bank customers into their accounts, enabling Özkan Derya to fraudulently obtain 225,000 TL and 2,900 dollars.

On July 21, Şaşmacıoğlu voluntarily gave a statement and was then arrested. The investigation into the suspects' actions has concluded, and the police requested bail arrangements to ensure their appearance in court.

Judge Fadıl Aksun, presiding over the case, ordered that the suspects be prohibited from traveling abroad and that all their identity and travel documents be confiscated. Canbolat and Derya were required to post 100,000 TL each in cash bail, while two TRNC citizens were to provide 500,000 TL each in surety bonds. Şaşmacıoğlu was required to post 50,000 TL in cash bail and 500,000 TL in personal surety bonds. All suspects must report to the nearest police station once a week and will be tried without detention.

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