What is Aggravated Fraud?
Unlike simple fraud, aggravated fraud is a more serious crime that occurs when certain conditions come together. Aggravated fraud, which is specifically regulated in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), covers fraudulent behaviors that cause more harm to the victim or are considered more dangerous to society.
Types of Aggravated Fraud
Aggravated fraud is defined in various ways in the TCK. Some of these are:
Fraud committed by taking advantage of the reliability of public institutions or organizations: In this case, the fraudster obtains money or goods by deceiving the victim as if he were an authorized person of the public institution.
Fraud committed against unwary or helpless people: This is fraud committed by taking advantage of the weaknesses of vulnerable people such as the elderly, sick or disabled.
Fraud causing great harm: These are fraud crimes that cause a significant financial loss.
Fraud committed by establishing an organization to commit a crime: Crimes committed by a group organized for the purpose of fraud.
Punishments and Sanctions for Aggravated Fraud
Although the penalty for the crime of aggravated fraud varies according to the nature of the crime, the amount of damage to the victim and other factors, it is generally a more severe penalty than simple fraud. The penalty range specified in the TCK is 6 to 20 years in prison and a judicial fine of up to 10,000 days.
Ways to Protect Yourself from Aggravated Fraud
It is very important to take some precautions to protect yourself from aggravated fraud:
Being aware: Being informed about fraud methods reduces the risk of falling into traps.
Being careful in suspicious situations: It is necessary to be careful in the face of very attractive offers or unexpected phone calls.
Protecting personal information: It is important to keep personal information such as identity and credit card information secure.
Getting legal support: If you think you have been scammed, you should immediately contact a lawyer.