31.05.2025 00:30
In the investigation launched against Papara Elektronik Para AŞ for allegedly facilitating the crime of 'illegal gambling,' 15 suspects were detained and brought to court, of which 11 were arrested and sent to prison. Meanwhile, 4 suspects were released under judicial control measures, including a 'travel ban' and 'signature' requirement.
```html
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation against Papara Electronic Money Inc. on the grounds that it facilitated 'illegal betting' money traffic and that 'illegal betting' organizations carried out money transfers through Papara. The investigation includes charges of 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 'being a member of the established organization', 'laundering assets derived from crime', and 'violating the Law on Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions'.
REQUEST FOR ARREST OF 15 SUSPECTS
Within the scope of the investigation, the statements of 15 suspects who were detained and referred to the courthouse were completed by 4 prosecutors in the Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau. The prosecutor's office referred all suspects, including company owner Ahmet Faruk Karslı, to the peace criminal court with a request for arrest.
11 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
11 of the suspects were arrested by the court they were brought before and sent to prison. 4 suspects were released under judicial control measures in the form of 'prohibition of leaving the country' and 'signature'.
INVESTIGATION
In a statement regarding the investigation from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that Ahmed Faruk Karslı, the owner of Papara Electronic Money Inc., has been granted a license to operate as an electronic money institution since 2016, and that the accounts held by the company could collect fees at every stage of transfers related to cryptocurrency exchanges and illegal betting, and that the subsequent examination of these accounts did not disrupt betting operations and allowed the company to generate income from these transactions.
"FACILITATED MONEY TRANSFER IN ILLEGAL BETTING"
The statement indicated that according to reports obtained from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT), MASAK, and other institutions, Papara was systematically and intensively used in the commission of illegal betting crimes, and that the company facilitated the commission of this crime and the transfer of money in the commission of the crime.
26 THOUSAND ACCOUNTS USED ON 102 DIFFERENT SITES
In the analysis, it was reported that 26,012 accounts opened through Papara systems were used on 102 different illegal betting and gambling sites, and that the illegal financial volume obtained from these accounts was significantly high. It was noted that the mentioned amount was transferred to 274 different bank accounts through the platform, and subsequently, the proceeds of crime were attempted to be laundered by directing them to 16 different cryptocurrency wallet addresses.
The statement included, "It has been determined that the owners of 5 identified cryptocurrency wallet accounts are in collaboration with the leaders of illegal betting organizations, and in this context, it has been understood that the payment institution named Papara is in a covert agreement process with illegal betting organizations."
TMSF APPOINTED AS TRUSTEE
It was stated that Papara Electronic Money Inc. has become an important intermediary for the financing of illegal betting and gambling crimes, and that the activities of the organization pose a risk to the security of payments. Measures were taken to seize assets belonging to the organization leader and members, including 8 companies, a yacht, 5 boats, 3 rental safes, 74 vehicles, 7 apartments, and villas, and it was reported that TMSF was appointed as a trustee for the companies by the peace criminal court.
```