Branch manager Fehime Canbolat, bank employee Buket Şaşmacıoğlu, and bank customer Özkan Derya who were arrested in connection with the theft of 6.298 million Turkish Lira from Universal Bank operating in Güzelyurt, have been released on bail.
Giving evidence in court regarding the case of serious fraud, Police Officer Yaren Yemenicioğlu, stationed at the Güzelyurt Judicial Branch, revealed that Fehime Canbolat, who served as the branch manager of Universal Bank in Güzelyurt from 2021 to 2024, forged a bank payment order. This allowed her to transfer funds from the bank’s main vault to the account of Özkan Derya, facilitating the payment of Derya’s checks.
According to the police, Canbolat’s actions enabled Özkan Derya to embezzle 6,298,366 TL. The investigation further uncovered that, under Derya’s influence, Canbolat also pilfered 1,244,411 TL, 23,805 Euros, £61,793 , and 11,526 US Dollars. These amounts were intended to cover a deficit in the bank’s safe but were instead misappropriated, as they were not deposited into the customers’ accounts.
The discrepancy was discovered on July 5 by a bank official, who then reported it to the authorities. Following the complaint, the police conducted an investigation, interviewing a total of 15 individuals, including five customers.
The suspects were apprehended on July 18 and appeared in court on July 19, where they were subjected to an additional three-day detention order. During this period, Buket Şaşmacıoğlu, another employee of the bank, was arrested for her involvement. The police revealed that Şaşmacıoğlu, with Canbolat’s encouragement, transferred funds into the account of Özkan Derya’s husband, Aydın Derya, to cover the bank customer’s checks.
The investigation showed that Şaşmacıoğlu had neglected to deposit customer funds into their respective accounts, committing fraud that resulted in Özkan Derya fraudulently obtaining 225,000 TL and 2,900 dollars.
On July 21, Şaşmacıoğlu voluntarily provided a statement and was subsequently arrested. The police noted that the portion of the investigation involving potential influence from the suspects has been completed and requested appropriate security measures for their upcoming trials.
Güzelyurt District Court President Fadıl Aksun, after reviewing the testimonies, imposed several restrictions: the suspects are prohibited from travelling abroad, and all their identity and travel documents have been confiscated. Canbolat and Derya are required to post a cash bond of 100,000 TL each, while two TRNC citizens must each provide a surety bond of 500,000 TL. Additionally, Şaşmacıoğlu must sign a personal surety bond of 50,000 TL and provide 500,000 TL in cash.
All suspects are allowed to await their trial without arrest, provided they report to the nearest police station once a week.
