Loud Talker's Neighbors Save Him From a Bilking

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 17 January 2021)

                      A rarity: grateful for nosy neighbors.

In Bakırköy, Istanbul, on 13 January, Kevork Y. (59) got a phone call.

The caller said he was a policeman and that Kevork Y.'s ID card had

been found at the scene of a jewelry store robbery.  In addition, the 

caller told Kevork Y. that he was the prime suspect so he should "send

us any money you have and we can check the serial numbers."

Kevork Y. has a hearing problem so he speaks loudly and, as a result,

his neighbors heard the conversation and called the real police right

away.  Concurrently, they told Kevork Y. that "the real police are on

their way.  Don't open the door to anyone before they arrive."  

Meanwhile, the caller, hoping to increase his credibility, told Kevork

Y. to prepare a note that the person coming to collect the money would

sign.  Kevork Y. dutifully put all his money in a bag and awaited the

"civilian policeman who will come to get the money.", as the caller

instructed.  Soon after, someone came to take the money from Kevork

Y. and once he did, the real police, staked out at the building, took

hoodwinker Mehmet Ali K. (43) into custody. 

The money, $12,850, was returned to Kevork Y.  and Mehmet Ali K.

was taken to jail.  Kevork Y. noted that "I went to the bank and took

out all my money to give to someone coming from the 'prosecutor's

office'.  The moment after he came the real police arrived and 

apprehended him.  I'm very grateful to the police." (not to mention

his nosy neighbors!)

 

      Bakırköy, in red, on the coast of the Sea of Marmara.