Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood members in Turkey under scrutiny amid fraud scandals and arrests

In a recent revelation shedding light on internal turmoil within the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey, prominent Egyptian journalist Sami Kamal El-Din has exposed a series of fraudulent schemes targeting Egyptian Brotherhood supporters.

Kamal El-Din, who is currently living in exile, shared details on social media platform X, describing how he was swindled out of $9,000 by an individual named Muhammad Zayed Kilani, reportedly a member of the Brotherhood, who promised him an Egyptian passport in return.

Kilani, originally based in Somalia, had relocated to Turkey after being called to join his community there.

Kamal El-Din disclosed that he was not the only victim; he claimed around 15 others, including media professionals, were deceived in a similar fashion, with each person receiving fake passports.

When he attempted to reclaim his money, his appeals were reportedly ignored by Brotherhood leadership in both Istanbul and London.

These revelations have emerged as Turkish authorities continue to crack down on Brotherhood members, particularly those who lack proper identification.

Turkish officials have halted the issuance of naturalization documents and humanitarian residency permits, warning Brotherhood leaders against bringing new members into the country.

Turkey, a longtime refuge for Egyptian Brotherhood members, currently hosts an estimated 35,000 Egyptians, with about 5,000 to 7,000 reportedly affiliated with the Brotherhood.

Many Egyptian exiles in Turkey are experiencing precarious living conditions due to their undocumented status.

The Turkish government’s warnings have intensified following a recent visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Ankara in September, marking a significant thaw in relations between Egypt and Turkey.

Observers believe this shift may signal a tougher stance on the Muslim Brotherhood, with Turkish authorities apparently signaling to Brotherhood leaders that they will no longer tolerate unregistered members arriving in the country.