Single Male Scam Story No. 7

Single Male robberies continue in Istanbul, now having spread from İstiklal Caddesi to Sultanahmet. I received this message, a copy of one that the traveler sent to the police in Istanbul, in May 2013:

“I am writing You to inform You about the attempt of single male scam on me in Istanbul (30.04.2013)

“I was walking alone on Sutlanahmed when 2 man approach me with a nice talk and invite me for a drink

“We went to one restaurant-bar in BESKARDESLER 3 SK. [Here’s a map. —TB]

“It was my last night in Istanbul so I could not go to the police station to report this case.

“In this restaurant on the upper floor there is an organized criminal work going on………we sat for a drink and the 3 prostitutes were in offering illegal actions.

“After we had drink, the waiter bring us bill od 2550 TL, the idea was to share the bill in 3 parts…….as I was without any money and credit cards one of the guys threatened me to take out all of what I had in my pockets. This guys had guns and I am 100% sure of that!!!!!

“My story is ending happily because they did not take the money from me but scared me to hell.

“MY ATTEMPT OF WRITING YOU THIS E MAIL IS NOT TO MAKE MY SITUATION BETTER BUT TO GIVE YOU AWARENESS OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOU CITY

“I WANT YOU TO STOP MAFIA SCAMS AND BURGLES IN THAT BAR……because sometimes things can end in the wrong way

“I would be very happy if you could react on this report and visit the bar on the address I gave you.

“This was a very good school for me and I will not stop on warning other tourist on what happened in Istanbul to me, I will make sure that my story comes to as much addresses as it can, including all tourist agencies in Croatia, embassy’s in Istanbul, and as many internet forums and trip advisor’s as I could reach.

“I will do everything that I can to prevent this scams and cheaters in their illegal work.

“Hope that you will do the same to protect your future tourist and to make sure that Istanbul would not came to the bad voice because of You not providing the security in Istanbul.

“Best wishes and hope that you will positively solve this problematic and dangerous bar.

Josip”