55 detained and 23 companies placed under trustee in illegal betting probe

The investigation, conducted from Ankara, saw 55 of 79 suspects with detention orders against them captured. The operation was carried out simultaneously in 18 provinces. According to the statement from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, teams conducted searches and seizures at addresses.

The investigation began with technical monitoring and tracking work by the Cyber Crimes Combating Branch Directorate of the Provincial Police Department. It was determined that the suspects operated illegal betting sites and organized the infrastructure software and call center activities of these sites.

A trustee was appointed to the 23 companies searched in the operation. A large number of digital materials were seized at the addresses. It was determined that the total suspicious transaction volume of the individuals and companies was approximately 21 billion 319 million lira.

The investigation also revealed that the leader of the organization transferred money from companies he had founded into his personal accounts. It was further determined that salaries of illegal betting site employees were paid through company employees via crypto asset exchanges.

Work to capture the remaining suspects is reported to be ongoing.