Turkish Authorities Arrest 89 in Nationwide Crackdown on Cybercrime and Illegal Gambling

In one of the most extensive cybercrime operations in recent memory, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 144 suspects have been detained across nine provinces for alleged involvement in illegal gambling, serious fraud, and hacking into computer systems. Of those, 89 have been formally arrested, with investigations still ongoing for the remaining individuals.

The operations were spearheaded by the Gendarmerie General Command’s Cybercrime Directorate, in coordination with local branches and the General Prosecutor’s Office, targeting a wide web of digital crime.

Multi-City Operation Exposes 8.3 Billion Lira Criminal Network

The coordinated raids spanned Istanbul, Mersin, Giresun, Hatay, Kastamonu, Bursa, Eskişehir, Adana, and Bilecik, uncovering financial activity involving 8.3 billion Turkish Liras in illicit transactions.

“This is a clear message to cybercriminals: We will pursue those exploiting our citizens online,” Yerlikaya said in a social media post.

The suspects allegedly orchestrated and facilitated illegal online betting, conducted fraudulent financial activities, and manipulated social media to deceive the public through fake advertisements and scam websites.

Fraud Schemes: From Lottery Scams to Fake Loans

According to Anadolu Agency, the investigation revealed a variety of schemes:

• Illegal betting and gambling operations conducted through unauthorized websites.

• Fake housing rental and car sale ads posted on social media to lure victims.

• Bogus lottery ticket sales to orchestrate betting and defraud individuals.

• Unauthorized access to personal data using illicit search tools.

• Loan fraud, where scammers promised low-interest loans online to steal personal and financial data.

The suspects are also accused of laundering the proceeds by transferring money from hacked accounts into their own, effectively bypassing legitimate financial channels.

Judicial Measures and Continued Investigations

While 89 suspects are in custody, 33 have been placed under judicial control. Authorities say procedures for the remaining suspects are still in progress, as new evidence is processed.

Yerlikaya underscored the importance of public vigilance, urging citizens not to trust unverified online ads and to report suspicious digital activities.