21.05.2026 10:01
In a simultaneous operation based in Hakkari, 33 suspects were apprehended for illegal betting and money laundering; 27 were arrested. The criminal network was found to have reached an illegal transaction volume of 6 billion TL.
In a simultaneous operation centered in Yüksekova district of Hakkari, 27 of the 33 suspects identified as having laundered criminal proceeds from illegal betting and achieved an illegal transaction volume of approximately 6 billion lira were arrested.
ACTION TAKEN BASED ON MASAK REPORTS
Under the coordination of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a comprehensive study was initiated based on reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) by teams from the General Directorate of Security Cyber Crime Department and Yüksekova District Police Department Cyber Crime Group Directorate. Following meticulous technical and physical surveillance by the teams, the bank and payment institution accounts of suspects found to have committed the crimes of "Violation of Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions" and "Laundering of Assets Derived from Crime (TCK 282)" were scrutinized. The investigations revealed that suspects involved even in the local branch of the criminal network reached an astronomical illegal transaction volume of 6 billion Turkish Lira.
SIMULTANEOUS RAIDS ON IDENTIFIED ADDRESSES
After the suspects' identifications and addresses were disclosed, the teams initiated the operation at 06:00 on May 18, 2026. Simultaneous operations were carried out at specified addresses in Van and Tekirdağ provinces, where extensions of the illegal financial network were located, particularly in Yüksekova and Şemdinli districts. As part of the operation, 33 suspects were apprehended and taken into custody.
6 INDIVIDUALS RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL CONTROL
The 33 suspects, after completing procedures at the police station, were referred to the courthouse under intense security measures. Of the suspects brought before the court, 27 were arrested and sent to prison on charges of "running illegal betting" and "laundering assets derived from crime." Six suspects were released under judicial control.
It was reported that a large-scale investigation into the incident continues.