"Fleece & Release": Elderly Woman Scammed in Istanbul; With Loot Thieves Bought TV to Watch World Cup

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 26 June 2026)

Suspects' World Cup TV watch party captured on hidden camera.

After living in Germany, Sabriye G. (80) came to Istanbul following the 

death of her husband and settled in Eyüpsultan, where she began living 

with her caregiver. According to the allegations, on June 17th, a suspect 

called her on the phone, saying, "I am a police officer, your name is 

involved in a terrorism case. We believe you are innocent, but we need 

to examine your money and gold at home for fingerprints," and asked 

for her home address. 

Sabriye G. gave her address to the suspect, who she invited to her house 

late at night on June 19th, and handed over gold worth 11 million TL 

(about $236,000)  to him in person.  After handing over her jewelry to 

the suspect who came to her building, Sabriye G. realized she had been 

scammed and went to the police to file a complaint.

Sabriye hanım, next time say "I don't speak Turkish!"

Teams investigating based on camera footage determined that the suspect 

had cashed in the gold at a jeweler in Fatih, converted all the money into 

$236,000 in foreign currency, and then put the money into a "soğuk

cüzdanı" (cold wallet).

NOTE: A "cold wallet" is the most secure crypto storage method, 

allowing you to store your cryptocurrencies and digital assets in a 

completely offline environment (typically on USB-like hardware devices) 

without an internet connection. Because it's not connected to the internet, 

it offers complete protection against cyberattacks and online theft.

Identifying other suspects involved in the theft, the teams detained three 

individuals. The suspects, apprehended in Esenyurt, Esenler, and Bebek 

coastal areas, were found to have acted in concert. It was determined that 

one of the two suspects who facilitated the theft used the $1500 to buy a 

television to watch the World Cup (!), while the other suspect spent the 

remaining $1000 at entertainment venues. 

All three suspects were sent to court and subsequently arrested and 

imprisoned. Because the code to  the wallet containing the stolen money 

was unknown, the money could not be returned to the victim, and the 

investigation is ongoing.

Missed last night's last-second Turkish win over USA!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9n_tru4C0A8

"Fleece & Release": Shoeshiners Scamming Foreign Tourist Confronted by Russians, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sondakika.com website, 24 June 2026)

    Shoeshiners demanded Euros, Russians to the rescue!

In Istanbul, a group of Russian tourists intervened when they suspected 

shoeshiners were scamming another foreign tourist. The argument 

between the parties was captured on a cell phone camera, showing the 

Russian tourists trying to support the person they believed was being 

defrauded. 

The Russians went directly to the scene of the incident and intervened. 

The footage shows the Russians approaching the shoe shiner, talking to 

people nearby, and recording the events with their mobile phones. 

During the incident, which took place at night on a historic street, 

heated moments occurred between the parties, while people nearby 

watched the argument. 

"Squeak & Release": Neighbor Shoots Neighbor Dead Due to Squeaky Garden Gate, in Fethiye

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 20 June 2026)

                        Oh for an ounce of prevention...

Security camera footage has emerged showing the incident in the Fethiye 

district of Muğla, where Ramazan Çalışkan (42) was shot dead with a 

shotgun by his neighbor, Osman Küçükgüzel (62), following an argument 

over noise coming from a squeaky garden gate. The footage captures the 

moment of the attack and shows children fleeing in panic.

The incident took place yesterday around 18:00 in Eldirek neighborhood. 

Allegedly, an argument broke out between the neighbors due to noise 

caused by the squeaky iron garden gate of Çalışkan's home. The dispute 

quickly escalated into a physical altercation. Küçükgüzel went to the 

front of the house with a shotgun and fired at Ramazan Çalışkan, as well 

as his wife, Emine Çalışkan (40), and their children who were with him. 

Çalışkan and his wife were left lying on the ground, covered in blood.

Upon notification, medical and Gendarmerie teams were dispatched to 

the scene. Medical personnel confirmed that Ramazan Çalışkan had lost 

his life. Emine Çalışkan and her daughter E.Ç. (13), who were struck by 

pellets, were taken to the hospital by ambulance after receiving initial 

treatment. Küçükgüzel, who was found to have gone into hiding at his 

own home following the incident, surrendered to the Gendarmerie. 

After processing, he was referred to the courthouse and subsequently 

arrested by the court. It was reported that Emine Çalışkan remains in 

serious condition, while her daughter E.Ç. continues to undergo treatment.

"Jaws & Release": Very Large Shark Washes Up On Shore, in Kuşadası

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 20 June 2026)

                                       It takes a village...

As a 3.85-meter-long (12.5 feet) female bluntnose sixgill shark that 

washed ashore in the Kuşadası district of Aydın is being examined, 

Bahattin Sürücü, President of the Ecosystem  Conservation and 

Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD), noted that  the species 

rarely encounters humans and is a significant creature for the marine 

ecosystem.  

Teams were dispatched to the area after Birol Özmen, who was 

kayaking off the coast of Kuşadası, reported seeing a large fish on 

the shore.  

Birol bey was scared sharkless!

An examination identified the creature as a bluntnose sixgill shark 

(*Hexanchus griseus*).  Following the species identification, tissue 

samples were collected and preserved for subsequent delivery to a 

university.

It is a shark species widely known in the Aegean and Mediterranean 

Seas but  rarely seen in the Black Sea. While many other shark species 

have five gill slits, the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark has six.

"Zoo & Release": Over 200 Wild Animals - Snakes, Lizards and Spiders - Found in Apartment in Kadıköy, Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(ODA TV website, 15 June 2026)

         Too many cats in Istanbul anyway.

The discovery of exotic animals and prohibited species in an apartment 

building in Kadıköy-Erenköy—right in the heart of Istanbul—has 

caused astonishment. It was reported that a wide range of species were 

found, including a Savannah Monitor, a "Fire Skink" lizard, and snails. 

A statement regarding the matter was issued by the Directorate of 

Nature Conservation and National Parks.

A wide variety of animals—ranging from exotic lizards, tortoises, and 

iguanas to prohibited snakes and snails, as well as parrots suspected of 

being smuggled and creatures like tarantulas—were discovered in two 

separate apartments within a building in Kadıköy. Teams from the General 

Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks rescued numerous 

animals from these two apartments, which were occupied by a family.

Instead of a guard dog...

It was alleged that over 200 animals were found, including a yellow 

scorpion and a viper that were discovered dead. Furthermore, it was 

claimed that snails were being used as protein-based feed for the snakes. 

The allegations also include the presence of a wide variety of animals, 

ranging from reptiles such as the Savannah Monitor, Fire Skink, and 

iguana to exotic frog species, as well as creatures like the boa constrictor, 

emperor scorpion, tarantula, and snails.

A statement posted on the social media account of the General Directorate 

of Nature Conservation and National Parks read as follows: "Exotic 

Species Seized in Istanbul. Acting on a tip-off, our teams conducted an 

inspection at a location in Istanbul in coordination with law enforcement 

agencies. Checks revealed the presence of numerous exotic species lacking 

the required permits. The animals—including tarantulas, snakes, scorpions, 

iguanas, savannah monitors, parrots, aquatic turtles, and giant African land 

snails—were seized. While the animals were taken into protective custody, 

an administrative fine was imposed on the individual involved under the 

Land Hunting Law No. 4915. We will resolutely continue our inspections 

regarding the unauthorized possession of wild animals."

"Scald & Release": Mechanic Poured Hot Tea on Custormer Who Accused Him of Overcharging, in Samsun

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 17 June 2026)

       Tea pots don't scald people. People scald people.

A mechanic in the Tekkeköy district of Samsun was arrested after 

pouring a teapot full of hot tea onto a customer, causing burns, during a 

dispute over payment for vehicle repairs at a kiosk on Kutlukent 

Boulevard in the Şabanoğlu Neighborhood.

According to reports, Kazım K. (65) took his vehicle to an auto repair 

shop owned by İ.K. (49) in April. Kazım K. paid 13,000 liras when 

he picked up his vehicle.

However (!), upon discovering through subsequent research that he had 

been charged 4,500 liras more than required, Kazım K. contacted the 

business owner, İ.K., to request a refund of the excess amount. When 

this proved unsuccessful, he applied to the Consumer Arbitration 

Committee.

A dispute over money broke out yesterday between the parties who 

encountered each other at the kiosk opposite the repair shop. As the 

argument escalated, İ.K. poured a teapot containing hot tea over 

Kazım K. and subsequently assaulted him.

Charged with using hot tea as a weapon.

The injured Kazım K. was taken to the Burn Center at Samsun City 

Hospital by medical teams arriving at the scene and placed under 

treatment. I.K., who was detained by the police, was referred to the 

Samsun Courthouse today. Brought before the duty court, the suspect 

was arrested and sent to Samsun T-Type Closed Prison.

"Spook & Release": Giant "Art Work" (!), Sparks Unease, in Seydikemer

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 17 June 2026)

 Entitled "Tensio", which means "Call home." in alienese.

A massive structure found in an olive grove in the Çaykenarı neighborhood 

of Muğla's Seydikemer district had sparked curiosity and unease among 

local residents. According to officials, the structure was built entirely for 

artistic purposes. (yeah, sure.)

Reports indicate that the artwork, named "Tensio" and designed by Swedish-

Turkish philosopher, artist, and writer Engo Fikret Engin Kazancı, began 

construction in 2025. Standing approximately 7 meters tall and weighing 

12 tons, the piece was installed on land belonging to the artist's friend, 

Ramazan Armağan Uysal.

The giant structure—whose original purpose was initially unknown—had 

drawn the attention of locals and given rise to various speculations. 

According to officials, the structure was built entirely for artistic purposes.

Artist  Kazancı being escorted back to his ship by Gendarmerie troops.

Engo Fikret Engin Kazancı—the architect and designer of "Tensio," a work 

of art in its own right—will unveil the piece to the public at a press 

conference to be held in August 2026. He installed his work "Tensio" in 

Seydikemer lies in the region's historical and geographical location. In the 

promotional texts prepared by Kazancı, it is emphasized that the Fethiye-

Seydikemer basin has historically been viewed as a crossroads of Asia, 

Europe, and Africa, and has ranked among the significant centers of science, 

philosophy, and cultural exchange since ancient times.

It is stated that the artist chose to situate the work in Seydikemer—a place 

deeply connected with nature—rather than in major cities, viewing the 

region as a future hub of note for culture, art, and thought.

Seydikemer, as seen from outer space...