09.07.2026 21:01
In the investigation conducted on the claim that 12 billion TL of illegal gambling money was laundered through Papara over two years and transferred to 274 bank accounts and 5 crypto wallets, the company's founder and former owner Ahmed Faruk Karslı, who faces up to 28 years in prison, was released after approximately one year of detention ongoing since May 30, 2025.
An important development occurred in the illegal gambling and money laundering investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
PAPARA FOUNDER AHMET FARUK KARSLI RELEASED
Papara's founder and former owner, Ahmed Faruk Karslı, was released after approximately one year of detention. Karslı, who was arrested on May 30, 2025, was released following the earlier release of Payfix and Flash Haber's former owner, Erkan Kork, marking the second notable release.
WHAT HAPPENED?
An investigation was launched against Papara Elektronik Para A.Ş. on allegations that it facilitated illegal gambling money traffic and mediated money transfers for illegal gambling organizations. Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 13 suspects, including Papara owner Ahmet Faruk Karslı, were arrested on charges of "Violation of Law No. 7258", "Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing a Crime", "Being a Member of an Established Organization", and "Laundering Assets Derived from Crime".
The prepared indictment stated that 12 billion TL in illegal gambling money was transferred through Papara over two years.
The indictment noted that Karslı sent 120 million TL to his wife, mother, and brother, 450 million TL to his partner Ertuğrul Doğan, and 27 million TL to Asuman Şener. The indictment included statements from two secret witnesses. The secret witness 'Ihlamur' said, "Papara manages the payment traffic of illegal gambling sites," and 'Ladin' said, "Papara is the biggest money laundering system Turkey has ever seen. A civil servant working in Cyber Crimes became a Papara manager after retiring."
''MONEY TRANSFERRED TO 274 BANK ACCOUNTS AND CRYPTO WALLETS''
According to the Central Bank audit report in the indictment, 26,012 Papara accounts were used on illegal gambling sites between 2021 and 2023. The transaction volume reached 12 billion TL, and the money was transferred to 274 bank accounts and 5 crypto wallets.
The indictment determined that Papara conducted a secret agreement process with illegal gambling organizations, stating, "The Papara system was designed to operate in direct integration with illegal gambling sites."
The indictment noted that Papara executives committed the crimes of "illegal gambling, establishing a criminal organization, and money laundering," seeking up to 28 years in prison for 5 executives, including Karslı, and up to 24 years for 20 individuals allegedly members of the organization.