Turkish Police Detain 15 in Massive Crackdown on Illegal Betting; $110M Transferred via Crypto and E-Money Accounts

Investigation targets money laundering through platforms like Paribu and Papara; Total transaction volume hits ₺3.66 Billion.

ISTANBUL — The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced the detention of 15 suspects following a major operation targeting illegal sports betting activities and associated money laundering schemes. The investigation uncovered massive illicit transfers totaling ₺3.66 billion (approximately $110 million) facilitated through accounts on various financial platforms, including cryptocurrency exchange Paribu and e-money provider Papara. Warrants were issued for 24 suspects, 15 of whom were apprehended.

Inquiry Targets Two Organized Groups

The investigation, led by the Prosecutor’s Office for Cybercrime, was a joint effort involving the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and the institutions providing virtual payment services. Based on MASAK reports, call detail records (HTS), and examinations focusing on Paribu Teknoloji AŞ, BN Teknoloji AŞ (Binance TR), D Elektronik Şans Oyunları ve Yayıncılık AŞ (Nesine), and Papara Elektronik Para AŞ, authorities identified two distinct groups involved in the scheme: one comprised 14 individuals and the other 9.

Massive Transaction Volumes Exposed

The probe specifically revealed that in 2023, approximately ₺1.2 billion (around $36 million) was transferred through 807 different transactions into accounts used for illegal betting on the website “www.paribahis849.com.”

The statement further detailed the overall scale of the operation:

• The 14-person group’s transaction volume reached ₺2.48 billion.
• The 9-person group’s volume was ₺785 million.
• The total transaction volume across all suspects was recorded at ₺3,665,220,538.

Authorities noted that the individuals involved in these massive money transfers were “mostly young people in their twenties,” highlighting a serious economic and sociological problem and confirming that the state’s efforts to combat this are continuous.

Crackdown on Illicit Capital Flows

This coordinated operation underscores Turkish authorities’ stringent efforts to crack down on illicit capital flight and prevent the misuse of local financial and cryptocurrency infrastructure for crimes like illegal betting and money laundering. By focusing on the scale of financial transfers, the government aims to curb the significant tax loss caused by these activities.

Company Denials and Clarifications

Following the media reports, both Paribu and Papara, which are widely used platforms, issued clarifying statements:

• Paribu (Cryptocurrency Exchange): Paribu, one of Turkey’s leading crypto asset trading platforms, enables users to buy, sell, and store various cryptocurrencies. The company categorically denied media reports of an operation targeting the firm itself, stating: “Claims of an operation against Paribu and its subsidiaries are baseless.” Paribu affirmed that it continues its activities in compliance with Capital Markets Law and other regulations, and stated it would pursue legal action against manipulative or reputational damaging news.
• Papara (E-Money Institution): Papara operates as a digital wallet and electronic money institution, offering users services for swift money transfers, bill payments, and online shopping without the need for traditional bank accounts. Like Paribu, Papara and its subsidiaries were investigated concerning the transactions made by the criminal groups, not as targets of the operation itself.