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More than 90 suspects in robbing, defrauding tourists detained in Turkey

According to the police, the detainees are suspected in committing crimes in at least five entertainment venues in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, which is popular with tourists

ISTANBUL, December 22. /TASS/. The Turkish police have detained more than 90 suspects in robberies, beatings and deception of foreign tourists, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has said.

"In a police sweep, conducted simultaneously in 13 provinces and mainly in Istanbul, 5 local criminal groups were neutralized and 93 suspects in crimes against 133 persons, including 93 foreign citizens, were detained," Yerlikaya wrote in the social network X (formerly Twitter).

According to the police, the detainees are suspected in committing crimes in at least five entertainment venues in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, which is popular with tourists. They met foreigners, took them to bars, "forced them to pay high bills, intimidated those who refused, beat them, and took away money, cell phones and wallets."

Foreigners often complain about fraud and deception in Istanbul's entertainment venues, where they are forced to pay unreasonably high prices. The local police also receive complaints about robberies of tourists.

In November, the Istanbul police neutralized a group of fraudsters who specialized in targeting tourists by posing as law enforcement officers.

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