04.02.2025 13:12
An operation was carried out against suspects alleged to be laundering 'black money' in Istanbul. It was determined that the suspects were attempting to launder money obtained from various crimes through front companies in the Grand Bazaar. Among those detained, it was learned that Faik Özbey, the Vice Chairman of the Grand Bazaar Management Board, was also included.
The teams of the Financial Crimes Investigation Department of the Istanbul Police and MASAK have initiated an investigation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to detect the transactions of suspects who laundered money obtained from various crimes through shell companies in the city.
THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED 93 SHELL COMPANIES
In the conducted investigations, it was determined that the suspects integrated the proceeds of crime, particularly from qualified fraud and online gambling operations carried out by criminal organizations, into the legal banking system through 93 shell companies established under 8 main companies operating in the areas of precious metals and foreign exchange trading in the Grand Bazaar. It was found that the suspects reached an illegal money circulation of 9 billion lira through this method.
THE GRAND BAZAAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ALSO IN CUSTODY
As part of the ongoing investigation, it was determined that among those detained was Faik Özbey, the Deputy Chairman of the Grand Bazaar Board of Directors. Following the operations conducted in 12 provinces centered in Istanbul against the suspects, 37 people, including Faik Özbey, were taken into custody. The suspects were taken to the police for their transactions.