⚽️ Turkey🇹🇷: more than 1,200 bank accounts blocked in operation targeting illegal betting

⚽️ Turkey🇹🇷: more than 1,200 bank accounts blocked in operation targeting illegal betting

The operation aimed to disrupt payments ahead of the Istanbul derby between "Beşiktaş" and "Fenerbahçe". The investigation was coordinated by the Istanbul Prosecutor's Office, while the operation was carried out by the Gendarmerie's cybercrime unit.

➡️ What law enforcement authorities uncovered:

➡️ 345 illegal betting websites;

➡️ 110 payment providers;

➡️ 1,200 bank accounts;

➡️ 98,000 affiliate websites.

➡️ The websites and accounts were linked to 1,048 individuals and legal entities and were allegedly used for illegal betting and money laundering involving criminal proceeds.

➡️ Context: Turkey has a state monopoly on betting and lotteries, making all other activities of this kind illegal.

❌ As early as 2025, an investigation by the Turkish Football Federation found that, out of 571 referees in professional leagues, only 200 did not have accounts with betting operators.

❌ In July, 17 current and former football club executives were detained on suspicion of links to illegal betting.

❌ That same month, authorities uncovered a cross-border network comprising 56 betting platforms, with 14 millionaccounts and a turnover of approximately €4.5 billion. 57 suspects face prison sentences of up to 39 years.

#news #Europe #gambling #betting

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