06.02.2026 10:45
In Istanbul, it was determined that 313 million TL of criminal proceeds related to cyber fraud were transferred to currency firms in the Grand Bazaar. In the operations, 48 suspects were arrested and assets worth 120 million TL were seized.
It was determined that the proceeds of crime obtained as a result of cyber fraud actions were transferred to currency exchange firms operating in the Grand Bazaar within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Analyses conducted by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) revealed that these proceeds were accounted for as if gold trading had been conducted, and approximately 313 million TL worth of criminal proceeds were integrated into the legal financial system. A total of 48 suspects were apprehended during the operations carried out within the scope of the investigation.
AN EXAMINATION WAS CONDUCTED BY MASAK
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined that the criminal proceeds obtained as a result of cyber fraud actions, which were carried out by directly copying the websites of firms such as BİMCELL, PTTCELL, İZBAN, and similar companies, were transferred to currency exchange firms operating in the Grand Bazaar through accounts opened in the names of shell companies and real individuals. Analyses conducted by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) revealed that these proceeds were accounted for as if gold trading had been conducted, and approximately 313 million TL worth of criminal proceeds were integrated into the legal financial system through this method.
ASSETS WORTH 120 MILLION TL OF THE SUSPECTS WERE SEIZED
In the investigation carried out in coordination with the Money Laundering Crimes Unit of the Financial Crimes Fighting Branch Directorate, assets worth approximately 120 million TL, including 9 residences, 4 apartments, 14 plots of land, 2 warehouses, 11 cars, and 6 motorcycles acquired by the suspects since the date of the crime, were seized from a currency exchange office deemed to have participated in the crime. Simultaneous operations were conducted in Ankara, Antalya, Bolu, Bursa, Izmir, Kocaeli, Mersin, Osmaniye, Sakarya, Siirt, and Yalova, targeting 59 suspects. While 48 individuals were apprehended during the operations, it was learned that efforts to capture the other suspects were ongoing.