09.10.2026 15:50
In the investigation into illegal betting and money laundering conducted by the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, findings were reached that criminal proceeds were laundered under the guise of aid and donations. In MASAK reports, money movements totaling 5.1 billion lira were detected across more than 860,000 transactions. In a simultaneous operation conducted in 8 provinces, 22 suspects were apprehended, and 333.4 million lira was frozen. TMSF was appointed as trustee to 4 companies.
In the Uşak-based investigation, it was determined that revenues assessed to have been obtained from illegal betting were circulated through personal, company, and association accounts. Within the scope of the investigation, money movement of 135 million liras was also detected in the account of a police officer serving in Ankara.
DONATION COVER FOR ILLEGAL BETTING REVENUES
In investigation numbered 2026/10766 conducted under the coordination of the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, findings were reached that revenues assessed to have been obtained from illegal betting activities were laundered by being circulated through various personal, company, and association accounts.
In the examinations conducted by gendarmerie teams on digital materials, correspondence belonging to a panel system used to organize illegal betting money transfers was found. In correspondence dated April 15, 2025, it was determined that a user instructed that a total of 500,000 liras be sent to a specific bank account in 5 separate transactions. In the examinations, it emerged that numerous money transfers were made from different accounts using various transaction descriptions.
MASAK REPORT: 5.1 BILLION LIRAS IN MONEY MOVEMENT
In the analysis reports of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) dated August 6 and 25, 2026, and in the gendarmerie's examinations, it was determined that accounts belonging to individuals and legal entities subject to the investigation had a total transaction volume of 5 billion 114 million 757 thousand 833 liras in 860,088 transactions between January 1, 2021, and September 21, 2026.
Within these money movements, approximately 175 million liras was assessed to have been transferred to various accounts for the purpose of laundering illegal betting revenues. Findings were obtained that the money was divided into different amounts and circulated through individuals and companies, and then reintroduced into the financial system under the appearance of donations and commercial activity.
153.7 MILLION LIRAS TRANSFERRED IN 1,430 TRANSACTIONS
One of the striking details of the investigation was the transaction descriptions used in money transfers. According to MASAK's examination, a total of 153 million 712 thousand 33 liras was transferred in 1,430 transactions carried out by 404 natural and legal persons between March 12, 2025, and March 5, 2026.
While the average transaction amount in normal donations was around 1,640 liras, it was determined that this amount rose to 108,052 liras in the transfers subject to examination. It was determined that 363 of those who made money transfers had MASAK intelligence records linked to illegal betting and gambling activities. The investigating authorities determined that the money movements in question clearly differed from ordinary aid and donation transactions.
92 PERCENT OF COMPANY REVENUES FROM A SINGLE SOURCE
In financial examinations, it was determined that hundreds of millions of liras were transferred from accounts subject to the investigation to a company. It was determined that approximately 303.8 million liras of the total 330 million 638 thousand 162 liras that entered the company's bank accounts during the 2023-2026 period came from accounts belonging to a single legal entity. Thus, it emerged that approximately 92 percent of the money entering the company's accounts was transferred from the same source.
It was determined that 293 million 563 thousand 722 liras was sent from the company's accounts to different individuals and companies with the description “live animal purchase,” and that 42 million 920 thousand liras was withdrawn in cash.
135 MILLION LIRAS IN MOVEMENT IN POLICE OFFICER'S ACCOUNT
Another striking finding in the investigation emerged in the bank accounts of a police officer serving in Ankara. According to MASAK's report dated September 3, 2026, it was determined that there was 135 million liras in money inflow and outflow in the account of police officer M.Ş. over a 1-year period.
In interviews with bank officials, it was determined that M.Ş. stated that he used the account in question to collect donations, but that he did not have any permit to collect donations. In the examinations, it was determined that a total of 97 million 380 thousand 537 liras was transferred to the account between February 5, 2025, and February 5, 2026, with various donation descriptions.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 8 PROVINCES: 22 DETENTIONS
Based on the evidence obtained, a large-scale operation was launched today at 06:00 upon the instruction of the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Teams of the Gendarmerie General Command's Department of Combating Smuggling and Organized Crime, Department of Combating Cybercrime, and Uşak Provincial Gendarmerie Command conducted a simultaneous operation in Uşak, Ankara, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Siirt, Antalya, and Kocaeli.
Within the scope of the offenses of “establishing an organization with the aim of committing a crime,” “laundering assets derived from crime,” and “opposing Law No. 7258,” search, seizure, and arrest procedures were carried out against 32 suspects, 1 association, and 4 companies. In the operation, 22 suspects were taken into custody.
TMSF APPOINTED AS TRUSTEE TO 4 COMPANIES
Within the scope of the investigation, a judicial measure was also applied to companies assessed to have been used in laundering crime proceeds. By decision of the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as trustee to 4 companies within the scope of the investigation.
333 MILLION LIRAS FROZEN
Of a total of 414 bank accounts belonging to suspects and legal entities subject to the investigation, 333 million 430 thousand liras found in 33 of them was frozen. It was reported that efforts to determine the amounts of money in the other 381 accounts are continuing. In addition, 7 immovable properties and 16 vehicles worth approximately 184 million liras were seized.
During searches at workplaces, residences, and other addresses, 1 kilogram of silver bullion, 1 unlicensed handgun, 1 unlicensed hunting rifle, digital materials, and various documents were seized.
Within the scope of the investigation, the organization of money transfers, the accounts through which crime proceeds were circulated, and the connections of persons involved in these transactions are continuing to be investigated.