Coordinated illegal betting operation across Ankara, Istanbul, and Edirne: 150 detained, 21.3 billion TL in suspicious transactions

A total of 150 suspects were detained in three simultaneous operations coordinated by the Chief Public Prosecutors' Offices of Ankara, Istanbul, and Edirne; efforts continue to apprehend 41 additional suspects.

The illegal betting investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office covered 18 provinces centered in Ankara. In the operation targeting 79 suspects and 23 companies, 55 suspects were detained and 24 remain wanted. The investigation examined organizational structures providing software and call center services, as well as the transfer of criminal proceeds through companies and cryptocurrency assets. According to a Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) report, the volume of suspicious transactions was identified as 21 billion 319 million TL. Court-appointed administrators were assigned to 23 companies.

The investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into next-generation organized crime covered 30 provinces centered in Istanbul. In the operation against an organizational structure identified as directing individuals toward criminal acts through social media and messaging groups, 100 individuals were targeted, including 34 minors in legal proceedings; 87 individuals were detained, including 34 minors in legal proceedings, and 13 remain wanted.

The investigation by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office covered 12 suspects across 5 provinces centered in Edirne. Of the suspects with whom a total transaction volume of 1 billion TL was identified in bank accounts over the past month, 8 were detained and 4 remain wanted.

Sabah newspaper reported on the development.