A fraudulent scheme targeting foreign tourists has been detected in Istanbul. This was reported on March 17 by security expert and retired police officer Mustafa Begyurcu. Russian media, including RIA Novosti, highlighted the warning due to Istanbul's high popularity among tourists from Russia and the CIS.

The scheme works like this: a scammer, posing as a shoe shiner, intentionally drops a brush near a tourist. The tourist typically picks it up and returns it to the owner, who then offers to shine their shoes for free. After the service is rendered, it turns out it's not free at all, and the scammer demands payment.

According to Begyurcu, the main rule when faced with such a situation is to not stop, not engage in contact, and not agree to the service. The expert also emphasized that tourists are not obligated to pick up the toothbrush and return it to its owner.

This isn't the first such incident in the Turkish capital. In January 2025, Istanbul police arrested 24 scammers who were defrauding tourists through a scheme involving unscrupulous taxi drivers and their accomplices.

Tourists planning a visit to Istanbul are advised to exercise caution and avoid accepting favors from strangers on the street.