10.11.2026 15:42
It was determined that revenues obtained from illegal betting and other crimes were attempted to be laundered through virtual gifts sent to TikTok influencers. In a simultaneous operation conducted in 8 provinces based in Ankara, 11 suspects were detained, and 3 suspects are being sought. According to MASAK data, the 6-year money movement of 14 suspects exceeded 1.9 billion lira.
According to the statement made by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, within the scope of the investigation into the crimes of violating Law No. 7258 and laundering assets derived from crime, work was carried out by the Ankara Provincial Gendarmerie Command Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) Branch Directorate and Intelligence Branch Directorate.
VIRTUAL GIFTS ARE TRANSFERRED TO ACCOUNTS
As a result of the work carried out, it was determined that revenues obtained from illegal betting and other crimes were attempted to be laundered through social media influencers broadcasting live on the social media platform TikTok. It was established that the suspects sent virtual gifts of high monetary value to broadcasters under the name of donations, and that the said gifts were transferred by the broadcasters to their accounts through the application. It was revealed that after a certain commission deduction, the remaining amounts were returned to the suspects in cash or by bank transfer.
6-YEAR MONEY MOVEMENT EXCEEDED 1.9 BILLION LIRA
Within the scope of the investigation, an examination was carried out on the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) data of 14 suspects for the last 6 years. In the examinations, it was determined that there was a total money movement of 1 billion 928 million 362 thousand 722 lira 98 kuruş belonging to the suspects.
On the other hand, it was determined that jewelry was purchased from jewelers with the proceeds of crime, and through this method, the said revenues were attempted to be introduced into the financial system and taken abroad.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 8 PROVINCES
In line with the evidence obtained, a simultaneous operation was organized in Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Manisa, Istanbul, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep and Hakkari on November 10. While 11 suspects were captured in the operations, it was reported that efforts to capture 3 fugitive suspects were ongoing.