Turk makes $2.5m selling tap water as Zamzam water
Turkish authorities have uncovered a large-scale counterfeit Zamzam water operation, revealing that a man had been selling fake Zamzam water and earning millions in illegal profits.
A raid on the facility exposed 15 tonnes of tap water packaged in containers falsely labelled as authentic Zamzam water from Saudi Arabia, according to reports by MENA citing Turkish media.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fraudulent scheme, active across Turkey, generated approximately 90 million Turkish lira (around $2.5 million) over five months.
The suspect, identified as Mehmet Bilal Ç, confessed to authorities that his operation produced 20 tonnes of counterfeit Zamzam water daily, earning him around 600,000 lira ($22,000) per day.
Mehmet admitted that a significant portion of the Zamzam water sold in Turkey, including in major cities like Istanbul, originated from his facility in Adana, southern Turkey.
Authorities discovered thousands of counterfeit labels designed to mislead consumers, featuring Arabic text and references to Saudi Arabia to evoke the religious and cultural significance of Zamzam water for Muslims.
Mehmet claimed he mixed small amounts of genuine Zamzam water—brought in by vehicles arriving from Saudi Arabia—with tap water at his facility. He further alleged that he had not received any customer complaints prior to the operation being exposed.
Following the raid, authorities confiscated the counterfeit water for destruction, sealed the facility and launched an investigation into all individuals involved in the scam.
Zamzam water holds profound religious significance for Muslims, especially during occasions like Ramadan, leading to high demand across Turkey. Bottles of Zamzam water are widely available in markets and stores, making the operation's reach particularly alarming.
Images from the raid published by Turkish media showcased personal-use bottles and larger containers, all featuring counterfeit branding, underscoring the scale of the deception.
Authorities are working to ensure that similar fraudulent activities are eradicated, protecting consumers and preserving the sanctity of Zamzam water.
