Illegal betting and laundering operation in 8 provinces: 11 suspects caught

Within the scope of the investigation coordinated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous operations were carried out in 8 provinces centered in Ankara targeting illegal betting and the laundering of crime revenues. While 11 suspects were detained in the operation, it was determined that the suspects' financial transactions over the past 6 years exceeded 1.9 billion liras.

During the work carried out by the Ankara Provincial Gendarmerie Command KOM Branch Directorate and Intelligence Branch Directorate teams, it was determined that illegal betting revenues were laundered through social media influencers broadcasting live on the TikTok platform. It was ascertained that the suspects sent virtual gifts to broadcasters, and after commission deductions, the remaining amounts were returned via cash or wire transfer.

Examinations conducted on MASAK data revealed a total financial movement of 1 billion 928 million 362 thousand 722 liras and 98 kurush belonging to 14 suspects. In addition, it was understood that jewelry was purchased from jewelers with crime proceeds and attempted to be introduced into the financial system. In raids conducted on November 10 in Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Manisa, Istanbul, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, and Hakkâri, 11 suspects were caught, while efforts to search for 3 fugitive individuals continue.