Under the coordination of the Cyber Crimes Combat Department of the Gendarmerie General Command, a series of simultaneous operations were conducted in multiple provinces, including Zonguldak, Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, Bursa, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Tekirdağ, and Burdur.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, through a social media announcement, detailed the extensive scope of the operation, which targeted aggravated fraud, unauthorised access to information systems, illegal betting, and the production and dissemination of online child exploitation material.

The coordinated efforts of the provincial gendarmerie commands led to the apprehension of 35 suspects, who reportedly facilitated a financial flow of 3.6 billion Turkish lira through fraudulent means.

The suspects were engaged in schemes ranging from social media scams to illegal betting platforms and data exploitation.

In addition, in Zonguldak, Istanbul, and Bursa, nine suspects were detained for defrauding citizens through promises to cover credit card fees advertised on social media platforms.

Istanbul saw further action with the arrest of eight suspects accused of running a fake cryptocurrency application, luring victims with promises of high returns on investments. These individuals were also found to be actively facilitating illegal betting operations.

Fraud extends beyond gambling

Illegal gambling isn’t the only activity that was broken up during the raids. In operations centred in Adana and extending to Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Şanlıurfa, six suspects were arrested for orchestrating fraudulent rental schemes.

Using social media platforms, they posted fake property listings and collected advance payments under the guise of rent, deposits, and real estate agent fees.

In Ankara, Batman, Diyarbakır, and Istanbul, authorities apprehended four suspects involved in the unauthorised querying of personal data through illicit internet-based services.

A particularly critical aspect of the operation focused on the storage and dissemination of obscene materials involving minors and adults.

Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and open-source intelligence enabled the gendarmerie to identify and apprehend eight suspects in Gaziantep, Tekirdağ, and Burdur.

Authorities confiscated unlicensed firearms, significant sums of Turkish lira and foreign currency, and numerous digital devices as part of the operations.

Turkey maintains strong anti-gambling position

Turkey’s firm stance against gambling is deeply rooted in its legal framework. In 1996, all forms of gambling, including land-based casinos, were officially banned. The exception is the state-sanctioned platform, Milli Piyango, which oversees lotteries and sports betting.

The decision, however, was only fully enforced in 1998.

While the ban significantly curbed physical gambling establishments, illegal online gambling thrived. The government has intensified its efforts to crack down on illegal betting activities, employing advanced cybercrime units to monitor and dismantle these operations.

This past June, authorities made an arrest that revealed massive underground gambling activity in the country.

Police arrested an Iranian citizen for his involvement in illegal betting, money laundering, and organised crime. As part of the bust, they also seized over $200,000 in cash, 15 companies valued at $500,000, vehicles, and luxury real estate.

However, the case of Halil Falyalı, a prominent Turkish-Cypriot businessman, still stands out above the rest. He gained widespread attention as a controversial figure due to his alleged involvement in illegal gambling, money laundering, and organised crime activities.

Born in Northern Cyprus, Falyalı rose to prominence as a casino and hotel owner, with extensive business interests tied to the region’s tourism and entertainment sectors.

However, his name became synonymous with criminal allegations, particularly his purported role in managing illegal online gambling platforms and facilitating illicit financial networks.

In February 2022, Falyalı was assassinated in an ambush near his home in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. The attack, involving multiple gunmen, left Falyalı and his driver fatally wounded.

Later that year, the authorities detained 163 people for their suspected involvement with Falyalı.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Mustafa and Mehmet Faysal Söylemez, leaders of the notorious “Söylemez Brothers” crime group, for Falyalı’s assassination.