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Turkish intelligence service detains private detective over espionage for Mossad

Friday, 03 October 2025 11:32 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 03 October 2025 11:32 AM ]

Serkan Cicek, accused of working with Israel’s Mossad and sharing information, is seen before his arrest by Turkey’s security forces in Istanbul. (Photo by Anadolu)

Turkish authorities have arrested a private investigator in Istanbul on charges of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad and passing on classified information, security sources said.

Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) announced on Friday that the suspect, identified as Serkan Çiçek, was taken into custody in a joint operation with prosecutors and law enforcement, code‑named “Metron Activity.”

Security officials said he had been working for Mossad and was in contact with Faysal Rasheed, a member of Israel's Online Operations Center, according to Anadolu Agency.

Çiçek reportedly confessed to conducting surveillance in Istanbul at the behest of Rasheed, focusing on a Palestinian activist who is critical of Israel's policies in the West Asia region.

As reported by Turkish intelligence, Çiçek, whose real name is Muhammet Fatih Keleş, changed his name following significant financial difficulties and exited his business career to found a private enterprise, known as Pandora Detective Agency, in 2020.

Turkish intelligence arrests a man suspected of working for Mossad.

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He is reported to have partnered with Musa Kuş, who received a 19-year prison sentence for espionage on behalf of Israel, as well as with attorney Tuğrulhan Dip.

Both individuals were convicted of selling personal information obtained from public records to private detectives for financial gain.

Officials stated that Çiçek attracted the attention of Mossad following the commencement of his detective activities.

On July 31, Rasheed purportedly reached out to him through WhatsApp, presenting himself as a representative of a foreign law firm.

Rasheed then instructed Çiçek to undertake a four-day surveillance mission targeting a Palestinian activist who lives in Başakşehir, which is situated on the outskirts of Istanbul.

Reports indicate that Çiçek was paid $4,000 in cryptocurrency on August 1 to carry out the task.

Çiçek discovered that the target was a Palestinian activist after conducting an online search of the name. Even though he was aware that his colleague Kuş had been imprisoned for espionage for Israel, he agreed to take on the assignment.

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Authorities reported that Çiçek went to the location provided by the Mossad agent, but could not find the target.

He entered the residential complex on August 1-2, pretending to search for an apartment to rent, and conducted reconnaissance. However, he did not manage to gather the information that Mossad required.

Officials reported that Rasheed severed communication on August 3.

According to Turkish security sources, Mossad frequently utilizes online communication applications to enlist operatives for the purpose of spying on Palestinians and other foreign nationals residing in Turkey.

In 2024, Turkish officials arrested 33 individuals believed to be selling information to Mossad.

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