04.11.2025 02:39
In the investigation into 'illegal betting' and 'POS loan sharking' based in Istanbul, 6 out of 8 suspects who were detained on the allegation of laundering 402 million lira of criminal proceeds through companies connected to London via Ozan Elektronik Para A.Ş. have been arrested, while 2 individuals were released under judicial control.
The operations of 8 suspects who were detained as part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the crimes of 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 'illegal gambling', 'usury', and 'money laundering of assets derived from crime' have been completed at the police station.
6 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
The suspects were taken to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. The suspects, whose statements were taken by the prosecutor's office, were referred to the duty magistrate. The court decided to arrest 6 suspects and release 2 suspects under judicial control. A detention order was issued for 2 suspects identified as being abroad within the scope of the investigation.
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION
In a statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that a strong suspicion of crime was identified in the investigation conducted by the Office for the Prevention of the Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering regarding the crimes of 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 'illegal gambling', 'usury', and 'money laundering of assets derived from crime', through Ozan Electronic Money Inc. by violating the "Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions" and laundering the proceeds of crime from 'POS usury'.
The statement mentioned that in the financial examinations conducted, it was evaluated that the status of the company as an electronic money institution was used to introduce assets derived from crime into the financial system under the guise of legitimate commercial activities.
ALLEGATION OF POS USURY
In the statement, it was expressed that reports prepared by MASAK, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT), and independent auditing firms were examined within the scope of the investigation, and it was understood that the proceeds of crime were included in the system by being transferred through virtual POS devices.
The statement indicated that the reports revealed that high-value transactions made with cards from high-risk countries such as Libya and Iraq were not prevented, and despite alarms being generated, necessary actions were not taken. It was noted that the same cards were used in different member workplaces in short intervals, and this situation indicated characteristics of money transfer and POS usury rather than genuine commercial activity.
Additionally, it was emphasized that a flow of money was provided under the name of 'insurance premium' through Aveon Global Insurance Inc., in which Ozan Özerk, the owner of Ozan Electronic Money Inc., is a partner, and that the company was controlled through London-based Aveon Global Holding, with the proceeds of crime being included in the financial system and laundered by giving the appearance of insurance premiums or commercial transactions.
ASSETS WORTH 402 MILLION LIRA SEIZED
In the statement, it was noted that as a result of the financial analyses conducted within this scope, a total of approximately 402 million lira worth of assets belonging to 7 companies, 3 residences, 5 plots of land, and 4 vehicles were identified, and a simultaneous operation was carried out against 10 suspects and 7 companies for whom detention orders were issued, and asset seizure operations were conducted.
The statement indicated that Ozan Electronic Money Inc., which was determined to have played an active role in the inclusion of proceeds of crime into the financial system, was appointed a trustee by the Istanbul Duty Magistrate to protect the financial structure and prevent the destruction of evidence.