A complaint was lodged with the Antalya Prosecutor’s Office last year claiming that an organized group was illegally wiretapping individuals’ phones. The prosecutor’s office discovered that it was active in 15 provinces. In an operation named “Third Ear,” simultaneous raids were carried out at the offices of the gang, resulting in the detention of 10 people, including gang leader Ercan Ö. and a retired noncommissioned officer on Feb. 17. The gang, which offered its services to people who suspected their spouses of cheating on them, wiretapped the phones of suspected lovers or spouses for a fee. Police have detailed information about the working methods of the gang thanks to the depositions of the suspected gang members who were referred to the court.The gang charged TL 350 ($219.00) for text-message following, TL 600 ($375.00) for text-message following and bugging, TL 500 ($313.00) for bugging and wiretapping of telephones, TL 600 ($375.00) to follow individuals weekly, TL 500 ($313.00) to follow a vehicle via general packet radio service (GPRS), while it charged TL 2,500 ($1,565.00) for the all-inclusive package. Clients who purchased the all-inclusive package were also given a three-day free trial period.
In addition to wiretapping and bugging, the gang members also physically followed people while disguised as couriers. (more)
