Turkey’s determined efforts to combat illegal betting and financial crimes have led to the detention of dozens of individuals, including prominent social media influencers. Coordinated nationwide operations unveiled the extent of illicit activities tied to online gambling, fraud, and unauthorized data exploitation. The Turkish government, maintaining its strong stance against illegal gambling, has leveraged cybercrime units and provincial security forces to dismantle these operations.

Nationwide crackdown on illegal betting:

A major police operation, targeting illegal betting and virtual gambling, was carried out across 16 provinces in Turkey. Announced by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the coordinated effort involved four months of investigation spearheaded by the Cybercrime Department and Public Prosecutor’s Offices. As Duvar English reports, the raids led to the detention of 27 individuals, including influencers known for promoting illegal gambling sites on social media.

The operation, conducted in cities like Istanbul, Adana, and Gaziantep, revealed the sophisticated methods used to advertise illegal betting platforms. Influencers subtly incorporated betting platform logos into their posts, leveraging their large followings to draw attention. Among the suspects, Zeynep Buse Korkmaz, boasting 1.3 million Instagram followers, and Okan Serbes, with 1.2 million followers, were central figures.

In Istanbul, arrest warrants were issued for eight suspects, leading to the detention of four individuals, including Korkmaz. Three suspects remain abroad, while others face legal proceedings. Three individuals, including Korkmaz, were formally arrested, while another was released under judicial supervision.

Broader operations uncover fraud and cybercrimes:

In addition to targeting illegal gambling, the Turkish Ministry of Interior revealed a wide range of fraudulent schemes uncovered during these operations. The Cyber Crimes Combat Department of the Gendarmerie General Command coordinated simultaneous actions across multiple provinces, including Ankara, Hatay, and Şanlıurfa.

These raids uncovered illegal betting networks facilitating a financial flow of 3.6 billion Turkish lira, along with scams ranging from fake cryptocurrency applications to unauthorized personal data queries. In Istanbul, eight suspects operating a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme were apprehended. Meanwhile, six suspects in Adana were detained for orchestrating rental scams by advertising fake property listings on social media.

Notably, authorities also targeted individuals involved in the dissemination of obscene materials, with reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children aiding in the identification of suspects. Eight individuals in Gaziantep, Tekirdağ, and Burdur were detained, highlighting the diverse range of cybercrimes addressed in the operation.

Turkey’s battle against illegal gambling is rooted in a stringent legal framework established in the 1990s. While all forms of gambling were officially banned by 1996, enforcement became comprehensive in 1998. The state-run Milli Piyango remains the sole legal operator, overseeing lotteries and sports betting.

Despite these restrictions, online gambling has flourished, prompting the government to intensify its crackdown. Advanced cybercrime units now play a pivotal role in monitoring and dismantling illegal platforms. High-profile cases, such as the arrest of an Iranian citizen involved in underground gambling networks, underline the scale of these operations.

In June 2024, authorities uncovered a massive gambling syndicate tied to money laundering and organized crime, seizing significant assets. This operation followed the infamous case of Halil Falyalı, a Turkish-Cypriot businessman whose alleged role in managing illegal gambling platforms made headlines.