Credit Card Scam on Social Media Traps Debtors in Money Laundering

Thousands of financially struggling individuals in Turkey are falling victim to a new wave of online credit card scams that falsely promise debt relief via social media platforms. But instead of escaping debt, they unknowingly become accomplices in money laundering schemes, facing both legal and financial consequences.

Social Media Scams Target Credit Card Debtors

As household debt continues to rise and credit card usage in Turkey climbs to record levels, scammers have found a lucrative opportunity. On platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), anonymous accounts promise to “pay off your credit card debt” for a small commission. The offer often appears as a last resort to people facing legal action, debt collection, or wage garnishment.

According to an NTV report, these victims usually include low-income individuals in urgent need of debt relief. The trap is simple yet effective: once the victim shares their credit card details, the promised payment is processed using illegally obtained funds, making the cardholder complicit in a criminal financial transaction.

Lured Into a Money Laundering Network

The money used to clear these debts often originates from illicit sources, including cybercrime and fraudulent activities. Criminal networks use unsuspecting cardholders as intermediaries to move dirty money through legitimate financial systems. In doing so, victims not only help launder proceeds of crime, but also expose themselves to prosecution, despite being unaware of the larger scheme.

Justice Ministry Report Confirms the Surge

Data from the Turkish Ministry of Justice (2024) reveals a 41% increase in aggravated fraud cases, even as theft incidents declined by 2%. Experts attribute this spike primarily to digital and social media-based financial crimes, reflecting a broader trend of cyber-enabled scams.

Expert Warning: Never Share Card Details Online

Legal expert Mustafa Zafer emphasized the severe penalties that can result from participating—knowingly or not—in these scams.

“Someone who believes they’re being scammed could end up with a prison sentence of 4 to 10 years for aiding money laundering,” said Zafer.
“In addition to prison time, courts can impose fines amounting to twice the transferred amount.”

Zafer also warned that ignorance doesn’t always protect the victim in court:

“Even if the fraudster is caught, the cardholder may still be held legally accountable,” he added.
“These crime networks aim to exploit your identity. And in the eyes of the law, not knowing is not always a valid excuse.”