21.11.2025 22:20
In an operation against money laundering and illegal betting conducted in 9 provinces centered around Mersin, 32 out of 40 suspects, including 4 classification referees, were arrested after being referred to the courthouse. It has been reported that among those arrested are 4 referees.
Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation within the framework of a probe coordinated by the General Command of Gendarmerie, Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department, and Mersin Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams regarding the crimes of "Violation of Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Betting and Gambling in Football and Other Sports Competitions, Money Laundering from Crime, Violation of Tax Procedure Law, Abuse of Duty, and Violation of the Law on Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports."
816 MILLION TL TRANSFER CHAIN
In the operation, the bank accounts of 801 individuals were examined. The investigation revealed that many suspects were facilitating illegal betting through websites and mediating illegal money transfers, creating a multi-transfer chain worth 816 million TL in cryptocurrency accounts to cover up the income obtained, and transferring money to domestic and foreign affiliates in exchange for benefits, causing a contraction in the tax base by infiltrating the legal economy without recording the money obtained from illegal activities.
3 BILLION 700 MILLION TL MONEY TRANSFER
It was also determined that money transfers were made off the books through a jeweler in Mersin using a method known as the 'Hawala system.' It was revealed that the suspects had conducted approximately 3 billion 700 million TL in money transfers from the crimes committed, with a total of 37 billion 645 million TL in account movements. Additionally, the investigation found that 1 million 300 thousand TL had been deposited into the accounts of 4 classified referees, and they had a total transaction volume of 85 million 919 thousand 678 TL between 2020 and 2025.
MILLIONS OF LIRA AND ASSETS SEIZED
Based on all this information, simultaneous operations were carried out in Mersin, Bursa, Sakarya, Hatay, Istanbul, Corum, Batman, Mardin, and Sirnak to capture the suspects, including referees. In the operation, 36 suspects, including 4 classified referees, were apprehended. While the investigations continued, 4 more suspects were detained. A total of 40 suspects were taken to the gendarmerie for questioning. The money in the bank accounts of companies and their owners, movable and immovable assets, and during searches at addresses, assets worth more than 50 million TL were seized, including 630 thousand dollars, 1 million 441 thousand euros, 5.5 kilograms of gold, 200 kilograms of silver, and cryptocurrencies found in cold wallets. Additionally, the teams seized all movable/immovable assets of 2 companies, 3 real estate properties, and 6 luxury vehicles under the crime of money laundering from crime.
4 REFEREES AND 32 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
The 40 suspects, whose statements were completed at the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, were sent to the courthouse today. Of the suspects who gave statements to the prosecutor at the courthouse, 35 were sent to the court for arrest, while 5 were sent to the duty court with a request for judicial control. In court, 32 of the suspects were arrested, while 8 were released under judicial control conditions.