Ankara-based illegal betting operation nets 22 suspects in 22 provinces

Ankara-based authorities have launched a significant operation targeting an illegal online gambling network, resulting in the detention of 22 suspects across 22 provinces. The investigation, initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, focuses on individuals suspected of facilitating financial transactions for an illegal betting website.

The operation stems from a probe into financial activities on accounts linked to the PEKİNBET betting site. Suspects were identified as facilitating payments through Papara Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A.Ş., a digital payment service provider. This led to a coordinated investigation with the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).

MASAK's analysis of bank, crypto asset, and electronic money accounts belonging to the suspects uncovered a substantial flow of funds. The total financial movement detected across these accounts amounted to approximately 231.3 million Turkish Lira. This discovery prompted the launch of a "Tracked Cybercrime Investigation."

On July 27, teams from the Ankara Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Cybercrime Branch Directorate executed simultaneous raids in 22 provinces under the Chief Public Prosecutor's directive. Of the 31 suspects initially targeted for arrest, 22 were apprehended. Efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining nine fugitives.