17.05.2026 11:10
In an operation targeting illegal betting, qualified fraud, bribery, and money laundering crimes across 21 provinces centered in Adana, 154 suspects, including journalist Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, were referred to the courthouse. The investigation identified approximately 100 billion TL and 2 billion USD in suspicious money movements. While the case file noted millions of liras in deposits and withdrawals in Kütahyalı's accounts, Kütahyalı denied the allegations, claiming the funds were sent as payments for receivables.
154 suspects, including journalist Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, have been sent to court following an operation in 21 provinces centered in Adana targeting illegal betting, qualified fraud, bribery, and money laundering.
An operation was conducted by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Crimes Investigation Bureau as part of an investigation into the crimes of "forming an organization to commit crimes," "illegal betting," "qualified fraud using information systems," "bribery," and "laundering assets derived from crime."
Based on MASAK reports, technical and physical surveillance, bank transactions, digital material analysis, crypto asset analysis, and HTS records, it was determined that the suspects acted as an organized crime syndicate, laundering income from illegal betting and phishing through electronic money institutions, bank accounts, virtual POS systems, exchange offices, jewelers, shell companies, and crypto asset systems.
THEY ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL SOFTWARE AND VIRTUAL POS NETWORK
As part of the investigation, it was found that the organization established special software infrastructure and panel systems, provided financial infrastructure to illegal betting sites, and conducted money transfer operations through electronic money institutions and virtual POS networks.
It was noted that the suspects circulated criminal proceeds within a multi-layered financial system, actively used crypto asset systems, and conducted cash conversion transactions through jewelers and exchange offices.
100 BILLION TL AND 2 BILLION DOLLARS IN FUND MOVEMENT
MASAK analyses and financial reviews identified suspicious fund movements of approximately 100 billion TL and approximately 2 billion dollars. The investigation file assessed that the organization was a professional financial crime organization operating on both national and international scales.
It was stated that evidence was obtained indicating that mid- and senior-level managers at certain private banks played a role in layering criminal proceeds within the banking system and helped neutralize blocking and security processes.
Additionally, it was alleged that some police personnel conducted inquiries about arrest and detention orders for the suspects in exchange for bribes and leaked information about operational processes.
KÜTAHYALI'S ACCOUNT FUND MOVEMENTS IN THE FILE
The prosecutor's file stated that Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı's account was not merely passive. According to the file, approximately 37.7 million TL was transferred from Kütahyalı's account to accounts considered used for layering purposes.
It was also noted that approximately 15.7 million TL entered Kütahyalı's account from accounts within the same structure. Additionally, analyses of e-money and payment institutions revealed that between 2022 and 2024, a total of 35 million 201 thousand 344 TL was deposited into Kütahyalı's accounts from six different institutions.
It was stated that these fund movements, when evaluated together with the organization's general working system, were not seen as normal individual money traffic.
DETENTION ORDER FOR 198 SUSPECTS
As part of the investigation, detention orders were issued for 198 suspects, including 3 bank managers, 8 police personnel, 4 lawyers, and journalist Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı.
In simultaneous raids on 228 addresses across 21 provinces, 161 suspects were detained. It was reported that efforts to apprehend suspects not found at their addresses continue.
As part of the operation, trustees were appointed to 3 electronic money payment institutions, 3 jewelers, and 1 exchange office, while 221 properties, 120 vehicles, and 3 boats were seized. Additionally, access was blocked to 8,500 illegal betting and gambling sites considered used for circulating criminal proceeds.
ORGANIZATION LEADER DETAINED TOGETHER
It was learned that Selahattin Akın Uzun, alleged to be the organization's leader, and Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı were taken to Adana after being detained in Istanbul.
Speaking to journalists after a forensic medical check, Kütahyalı said, "I'm fine, dad. I don't have such fund activity. There's a misunderstanding."
"I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THESE CRIMES"
It was reported that Kütahyalı, who denied the allegations during his police interrogation, said, "The fund movement in question is money sent for receivables. It was sent as payment for a debt. I have no connection to the mentioned crimes."
Of the suspects whose procedures at the Adana Police Department were completed, 7 were released. 154 suspects, including Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, were sent to court.