07.11.2025 12:16
The investigation into Ozan Elektronik Para A.Ş. regarding illegal betting and POS loan sharking has been expanded. While detention orders have been issued for 11 of the 16 identified suspects, assets worth a total of 72 million lira, consisting of 2 residences, 2 plots of land, and 3 vehicles, have been seized from the suspects.
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The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, through the Office for the Investigation of the Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering Crimes, has determined that criminal proceeds obtained by violating the 'Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions' and through 'Organizing a Criminal Organization', 'Illegal Betting', 'Usury', and 'Money Laundering of Assets Derived from Crime' are being laundered via Ozan Electronic Money Inc. It was found that illegal betting and usury proceeds were laundered by being funneled into the system through Ozan Electronic Money Inc. It was determined that the criminal proceeds were laundered through companies connected to Aveon Global Holding based in London. In simultaneous operations conducted against the suspects and 7 companies within the scope of the investigation, assets worth a total of 402 million lira were seized. A trustee was appointed to Ozan Electronic Money Inc. by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF).
FLOWS OF MONEY WERE PROVIDED UNDER THE NAME OF 'INSURANCE PREMIUM'
Within the scope of the investigation, reports prepared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB), and independent auditing firms were examined together; it was revealed that criminal proceeds were included in the system by being transferred through virtual POS devices. The reports indicated that high-value transactions made with cards from high-risk countries such as Libya and Iraq were not blocked, and despite alarms being generated, necessary actions were not taken. It was found that the same cards were used at different merchant locations in quick succession, indicating that this situation was more characteristic of money transfer and usury rather than genuine commercial activity. Additionally, it was determined that money was funneled under the name of insurance premiums through Aveon Global Insurance Inc., in which O.Ö., the owner of Ozan Electronic Money Inc., is a partner, and that the company was controlled through London-based Aveon Global Holding, with criminal proceeds being included in the financial system and laundered by being presented as insurance premiums or commercial transactions. As a result of the financial analyses conducted within the scope of the investigation, assets worth approximately 402 million lira, including 7 companies, 3 residences, 5 plots of land, and 4 vehicles, were identified. Assets belonging to 10 suspects captured in simultaneous operations against the 7 companies were seized. Furthermore, as a result of evaluations, a trustee was appointed to Ozan Electronic Money Inc. by the Istanbul Duty Magistrate to protect the financial structure and prevent the destruction of evidence, as it was determined that the company played an active role in including the proceeds of crime in the financial system.
6 SUSPECTS HAD BEEN ARRESTED
Of the suspects detained within the scope of the investigation, 6 were arrested by the Magistrate's Court, while 2 suspects were released under judicial control measures. On the other hand, assets worth a total of 402 million lira belonging to the 7 companies were seized. A trustee was appointed to Ozan Electronic Money Inc. by the TMSF.
ARREST WARRANTS WERE ISSUED FOR 11 MORE SUSPECTS
As a result of ongoing work within the scope of the investigation, findings were obtained indicating that not only the upper management of the company but also former board members, information technology unit employees, risk management and internal audit personnel, software development specialists, and finance and accounting managers from different units of the company participated in the acts of usury and money laundering. Arrest warrants were issued for 11 of the 16 identified suspects. Assets worth a total of 72 million lira, including 2 residences, 2 plots of land, and 3 vehicles acquired by the suspects after the dates of the crimes, were seized.
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