17.04.2025 10:40
A child abuse network has been dismantled in the United States. It has been revealed that the leader of the gang is Mehmet Bozüyük, who lives in Adana and is known by the nickname "John De Vil." Bozüyük, who was taken into custody, stated, "My only crime is selling stolen social media accounts," and was released. The U.S. has requested his extradition from Turkey, and Bozüyük faces charges including "robbery, money laundering, and sexual abuse of a child," with a potential prison sentence of up to 400 years.
According to the news by Soner Kan from Akşam newspaper, Mehmet Berk Bozüyük, known as 'John De Vil' and living in Adana, was declared the leader of a gang involved in child exploitation over the internet in the USA. Bozüyük, who was taken into custody, stated, "My only crime is selling stolen social media accounts," and was released.
THEY WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITH THE "DIRTY FACE" OPERATION
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the USA began investigating a website that was found to be advertising child sexual exploitation on TikTok. Agents determined that the site provided access to child exploitation through 'Dark/Deep Web', known as an illegal internet network, with special internet servers for $100, and took 8 suspects living in the USA into custody with the 'dirty face' operation.
"IT WAS ENSURING THE GLOBAL SALE OF CHILD EXPLOITATION"
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier held a press conference on April 7 to provide information about the operation. The Attorney General announced that the leader of the gang was Mehmet Berk Bozüyük, living in Adana, known as 'John De Vil'. Uthmeier stated that Bozüyük facilitated the global sale and distribution of child exploitation through Ximena Maqueda using stolen and fake identities, and shared a photo diagram of the gang members with the press. It was revealed that Bozüyük, who was identified as the gang leader in that diagram, was requested to be extradited from Turkey. Following Bozüyük's capture, it was reported that he could face up to 400 years in prison for charges such as robbery, money laundering, and child sexual exploitation.
ADANA POLICE WENT ON ALERT
After the news was also reported in the Turkish press, the Adana police went on alert. However, it was determined that no official request had been received from the USA regarding Bozüyük. Teams from the Cyber Crime Department confirmed that Bozüyük was indeed in Adana. 12 mobile phones were found at Bozüyük's home.
"I HAVE A CHILD TOO"
The cyber police discovered that Bozüyük had stolen social media accounts that were opened by different individuals between 2008-2009 but were later unused and sold them abroad for money. It was learned that no signs of child exploitation were found regarding Bozüyük, whose digital materials and mobile phone were examined. In his interrogation, Bozüyük stated, "I learned about the news about me from newspapers and television as well. I am very shocked. I have a child too. My only crime is stealing social media accounts and selling them abroad." Mehmet Bozüyük, who was referred to the courthouse, was released under 'judicial control' conditions.