Turkish authorities uncover 15 tonnes of counterfeit Zamzam water in multimillion-dollar fraud
The accused mixed small quantities of genuine Zamzam water to normal water to fill up bottles
Adana: Turkish authorities have exposed a massive counterfeit Zamzam water operation, seizing 15 tonnes of fake products and uncovering a scheme that earned its mastermind approximately $2.5 million in just five months.
The operation, based in a warehouse in Adana, Southern Turkey, reportedly produced 20 tonnes of counterfeit Zamzam water daily, generating an estimated revenue of 90 million Turkish lira ($2.5 million). Investigators revealed that the counterfeit water was sold widely, including in Istanbul, and bore labels falsely claiming it was authentic Zamzam water from Saudi Arabia.
كشفت الشرطة التركية، عن مخالفة صادمة يتم فيها تعبئة مياه الصنبور العادية على أنها "ماء زمزم" عبر عبوات مغلفة مشابهة تماماً لتلك المنتشرة على نطاق واسع في الأسواق والمتاجر التركية.
— Erem News - إرم نيوز (@EremNews) January 10, 2025
وداهمت الشرطة، مستودعاً في مدينة أضنة، جنوب البلاد، لتعثر على 15 طنا من المياه العادية… pic.twitter.com/9uZeNWLXd5
The suspect, identified only as Bilal, confessed during interrogation that he had been running the operation for five months. He admitted that the counterfeit water sold across Turkey originated from his facility. Authorities raided the warehouse, discovering ordinary tap water packaged in containers labeled as genuine Zamzam water.
Photographs from the raid showed stacks of bottles and larger containers, all designed to mimic the appearance of authentic Zamzam water. The counterfeit labels featured Arabic text and references to Saudi Arabia to deceive consumers, exploiting the religious significance of Zamzam water for Muslims.
القبض على صاحب مصنع في مدينة أضنة التركية يبيع للناس مياه صنبور على أنها مياه زمزم يستوردها من مكة المكرمة وكان يجني أرباح يومية قدرها 600,000 ليرة (قرابة 64,000 ريال).
— إياد الحمود (@Eyaaaad) January 12, 2025
يقول صاحب المصنع: كنت أبيع جميع علب المياه، هذا يعني أن الزبائن راضون لأني لم أتلق أي شكوى منهم. pic.twitter.com/1UsFezn5bM
Bilal admitted to mixing small quantities of genuine Zamzam water, sourced from vehicles arriving from Saudi Arabia, with tap water at his facility. He claimed that no customers had lodged complaints about the product before the raid.
The counterfeit water has been confiscated and will be destroyed. Authorities have sealed the facility and launched a broader investigation into others potentially involved in the operation.
Demand for Zamzam water (Holy water from Mecca) is particularly high in Turkey during religious periods like Ramadan, with bottles widely available in markets and stores. The extent of the counterfeit product's distribution remains unclear, raising concerns among consumers about its reach.
This scandal underscores the importance of vigilance in verifying the authenticity of products, especially those with cultural or religious significance.