Recently, victimization due to bank accounts opened in the names of others has increased. Those who allow third parties to use the bank accounts they opened for themselves for various reasons are being penalized for fraud. Renting IBAN accounts, especially in exchange for commission, has recently become a common fraud method. In this method, instead of opening bank accounts in their own names, fraudsters target people in need or unaware of the accounts they have opened in other people’s names. Brokers usually use the accounts of the people they have trapped for illegal money transfers, money laundering or fraudulent transactions.
STUDENTS ATTENTION!
Students, especially those with low financial means, tend to do these jobs for additional income and their accounts can fall into the hands of malicious people. Digital Communication Researcher explains what people who experience such a victim should do. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık states that fraudsters prefer this method to hide their illegal activities and cover their tracks.
CHECK IT OUT
Emphasizing that bank accounts should not be allowed to be used by third parties, Kırık says that inspections should be increased: “Account holders need to be aware of the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with allowing others to use their bank accounts and be careful about such offers. Banks should also increase awareness by providing informative training to their customers on this issue. Those who notice anything suspicious in their bank accounts should contact their bank immediately. At the same time, in order not to ignore the legal aspect of the victimization, it is necessary to report the situation to the police units and the prosecutor’s office.”
THEY ARE ESCAPING TAXES
İbrahim Güllü, Deputy Chairman of the Consumer Confederation, pointed out that using someone else’s IBAN means avoiding tax liability, “The penalties for these people will also increase in the new tax package. “Businesses and individuals who collect payments through other accounts to avoid tax liability are both committing a crime and causing others to commit a crime,” he said.
EVERYTHING IS RECORDED
Speaking about those who rent their accounts to others, Güllü stated that these people, knowingly or unknowingly, have come to the position of helping fraudsters and terrorist organizations, and said: “It should not be forgotten that other people’s bank accounts are used by terrorist organizations, illegal workers or companies and individuals who are taxpayers but want to collect their unregistered income off the record. Since everything is recorded in the electronic environment, the usage can be easily detected by examining the bank accounts.”
PRISON SENTENCE IS GIVEN
“Such crimes, which endanger the security of the financial system, cause damage to both individuals and banks. For this reason, in accordance with TCK Article 158/1-F, the person or persons who commit this crime are sentenced to imprisonment from three to ten years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days.”
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