02.06.2026 16:20
In coordination with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a simultaneous operation was carried out in 20 provinces targeting 82 suspects and 3 companies within the scope of an investigation into illegal betting, gambling, and laundering of proceeds from crime. 59 suspects were detained in the operation. In a statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the operation, it was stated, 'It has been determined that the organization operated through a special system referred to as a "closed circuit," which only allows entry by reference.'
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that simultaneous operations were conducted in 20 provinces as part of an investigation into illegal betting, gambling, and money laundering of assets derived from crime.
According to a statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, within the scope of the investigation coordinated by the Elmadağ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and carried out by the Ankara Provincial Police Department's Cyber Crime Branch Directorate, legal proceedings were initiated against 58 suspects considered to be members of a criminal organization in the first operation held on February 21, 2026. While 22 of the suspects were arrested, judicial control measures were imposed on 8 individuals.
180 BILLION IN CRYPTOCURRENCY TRAFFIC
During the deepening of the investigation, technical examinations were conducted on the suspects' statements, seized digital materials, and account movements. Within this scope, a report was requested from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK). It was reported that, according to the MASAK report, the criminal organization, stated to be operating nationwide, was found to have managed a total of 180 billion lira worth of cryptocurrency traffic.
EFFORTS TO APPREHEND OTHER SUSPECTS CONTINUE
Based on the obtained financial data and evidence, a simultaneous operation was conducted today targeting 82 suspects and 3 companies operating in 20 provinces. In the operation, 59 suspects were caught and taken into custody, while numerous digital materials linked to the crime were seized.
In the statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that judicial and physical efforts to apprehend other suspects with foreign connections who are fugitives continue.
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
In a statement regarding the operation from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the following expressions were included:
"Within the scope of the investigation coordinated by the Elmadağ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and carried out by the Ankara Provincial Police Department's Cyber Crime Branch Directorate, significant findings have been made regarding an organized criminal organization conducting illegal virtual betting activities.
THEY USED A REFERENCE-ONLY ENTRY SYSTEM
The investigation process began upon a report received in 2021 about illegal betting being conducted, and as a result of technical and physical studies, it was determined that the organization operated through a special system referred to as 'closed circuit,' which could only be accessed via a reference. It was established that within the system, users conducted transactions through software called panels, and money transfers were carried out through monopoly dealers and commercial taxis.
Within the scope of the investigation, in the initial operation conducted in 2021, proceedings were initiated against 20 suspects. In the ongoing process, following the examination of digital materials and analysis of bank account movements, the organization's area of activity was expanded. In this context, a second wave operation was carried out at the beginning of 2026, bringing the total number of suspects processed to 58, with 32 of the suspects arrested and judicial control measures imposed on 6.
Within the scope of the investigation, a suspect benefiting from the provisions of effective remorse gave a statement as a confidential witness under the code name 'Börü 11,' providing detailed information about the organization's hierarchical structure, operational methods, organizational centers in Istanbul province, and the laundering of proceeds from crime through cryptocurrency wallets. Technical examinations identified a transaction volume of approximately 4,000,000,000 US dollars / 180,000,000,000 Turkish Lira.
Based on the evidence obtained, a simultaneous operation was carried out on June 2, 2026, in 20 provinces. As a result of efforts targeting a total of 82 suspects, 59 suspects were caught and taken into custody, and numerous digital materials were seized. It was understood that some of the suspects continued their organizational activities from abroad and from penal institutions.
Furthermore, within the scope of the investigation, examinations and research continue based on information obtained regarding some financial institutions and their personnel. Efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspects are ongoing."