As part of an investigation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, teams from the Istanbul Financial Crimes Investigation Branch conducted a large-scale operation targeting the laundering of proceeds from illegal betting and gambling.
In the investigation, carried out based on financial analysis reports prepared by MASAK, bank transactions, technical and physical surveillance, and other judicial evidence, an organized structure was uncovered that was assessed to have funneled, laundered, and transferred abroad the proceeds from illegal betting and gambling.
30 BILLION TL SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION VOLUME As part of the investigation, 37 companies identified as having carried out intensive money transfers among themselves were put under scrutiny. MASAK's financial analyses determined that the structure reached a transaction volume of approximately 30 billion TL between 2016 and 2018. This money flow was assessed as inconsistent with the companies' declared commercial activities.
200 MILLION TL WORTH OF ASSETS SEIZED As part of the investigation, judicial measures were also applied to assets assessed to have been obtained through crime. In this context, 19 residences, 9 plots of land, 1 workplace, 31 motor vehicles, and 32 companies were seized. The approximate market value of the assets subject to the measure was stated to be 200 million TL.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 9 PROVINCES Based on MASAK reports, bank records, digital examinations, communication records, and other evidence, detention warrants were issued for 41 suspects assessed to be linked to the criminal organization. In a simultaneous operation on June 30, centered in Istanbul and also conducted in Ankara, Gaziantep, Hatay, Izmir, Kilis, Kirklareli, Kocaeli and Tokat, 40 suspects were caught and detained.
SILVER AT A JEWELER, GOLD AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT HOME During a search at a jeweler in Fatih belonging to Bilal Happani, 30 kilograms of silver, 6,260 dollars, 4,880 euros and 16,805 TL were seized.
In searches at Ugur Demirel's address in Ankara, 925,000 TL, 28,450 dollars, 7,300 euros, 825 pounds sterling, 609 grams of gold, 2 full gold coins, 1 half gold coin, 67 quarter gold coins, 7 bracelets and 1 kilogram 150 grams of silver were found.
