07.06.2026 21:10
Striking details have emerged in an Ankara-based investigation into illegal gambling and money laundering. The investigation, which began about five years ago with a tip-off, expanded into a vast criminal network through digital evidence, bank records, MASAK analyses, and statements taken under effective remorse provisions. The investigation revealed that the organization reached a transaction volume of approximately 203 billion Turkish Lira, while numerous suspects were processed in the latest operation conducted across 20 provinces.
New details have emerged in the Ankara-based investigation into illegal gambling and money laundering. In the investigation coordinated by the Elmadağ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined that the organization reached a transaction volume of approximately 203 billion TL, while in the latest operation, simultaneous raids in 20 provinces led to actions against dozens of suspects.
INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH A TIP-OFF
The basis of the investigation dates back to a tip-off received by the Elmadağ District Police Department on November 6, 2021. Following the tip that illegal gambling was taking place at a business, physical and technical surveillance was initiated by the Ankara Provincial Police Department's Cyber Crimes Branch Directorate.
As a result of the work conducted, it was determined that illegal gambling activities were carried out through closed-circuit platforms called 'panels,' which were only accessible via a reference system. It was also found that gambling revenues were circulated through different bank accounts, companies, and intermediaries.
ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST 20 SUSPECTS IN FIRST OPERATION
In the first phase of the investigation, legal actions were taken against 20 suspects in an operation carried out in 2021. A public lawsuit was filed based on the collected evidence, and the trial of the defendants continued at the Elmadağ 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
However, the investigation did not stop there.
DIGITAL EVIDENCE REVEALED NEW NETWORK
Expert examinations of digital materials belonging to the suspects revealed that the illegal gambling sites directed gamblers to bank accounts belonging to third parties.
Following these findings, a new and comprehensive investigation was launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in 2024. By examining account movements obtained from the Revenue Administration, it was determined that these bank accounts were actively used in the illegal gambling organization.
MONEY COLLECTED IN 'UPPER ACCOUNTS'
Financial examinations revealed that gambling revenues were circulated through numerous accounts and then collected in pool accounts referred to as 'upper accounts' or 'cash registers' within the organization.
Data obtained within the scope of the investigation revealed that the organization tried to conceal money transfers by establishing a professional financial structure.
22 DETAINED IN SECOND WAVE OPERATION
In the second wave operation carried out on February 17, 2026, 38 suspects were targeted. As a result of the operation, the total number of suspects rose to 58, while 22 suspects were arrested by the courts and judicial control decisions were made for 6 suspects.
Thus, the total number of arrested suspects in the investigation reached 32. Numerous digital materials were also seized in the operations.
EXPRESSION OF EFFECTIVE REMORSE DEEPENED INVESTIGATION
The development that changed the course of the investigation was that one of the detained suspects wanted to benefit from the provisions of effective remorse.
The statements given by the suspect included important information regarding the hierarchical structure of the organization, its centers in Istanbul, and cryptocurrency wallets considered to be used in money laundering activities.
Based on this information, bank movements, digital materials, and crypto asset analyses were re-examined.
MASAK REPORT: 203 BILLION TL MASSIVE VOLUME
Based on the collected evidence, a report was requested from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board.
In the MASAK report that reached the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined that the total transaction volume carried out by the criminal organization was approximately 203 billion TL. The report stated that illegal gambling revenues were introduced into the system through various methods and circulated through numerous accounts.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 20 PROVINCES
Based on the MASAK report, witness statements, and other evidence, new names connected to the organization were identified.
In this context, a simultaneous operation was carried out in 20 provinces, centered in Ankara, on June 2, 2026. The operation targeted a total of 82 suspects and 3 companies.
It was determined that 4 of the suspects were abroad, while 4 were in prison for other crimes.
18 SUSPECTS AT LARGE
In the simultaneous raids, 59 suspects were taken into custody, and numerous digital materials were seized during searches at the addresses.
As a result of proceedings conducted on charges of facilitating illegal gambling, being a member of a criminal organization, and laundering property values derived from crime, 25 suspects were arrested, and judicial control decisions were made for 39 suspects.
It was learned that efforts to apprehend the 18 suspects against whom actions were taken within the scope of the investigation are ongoing.