Turkish police bust $28M cybercrime ring in nationwide anti-fraud operation | #cybercrime | #infosec

Turkish authorities have uncovered over ₺1.13 billion ($28.41 million) in suspicious financial transactions during a major operation targeting cyber fraud and illegal online betting. The crackdown, conducted across 15 provinces, led to the detention of 98 suspects, with 51 placed under arrest, officials announced Wednesday.

The Interior Ministry said the suspects were linked to a broad criminal network accused of running fake financial service websites, operating unauthorized gambling platforms, and stealing citizens’ personal data through illicit online tools.

According to Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the suspects posed as bank or insurance agents via counterfeit websites, offering low-interest loans to defraud users. Others allegedly facilitated illegal online betting operations and moved vast sums of money through unauthorized transactions.

Cybercrime tactics

The operation revealed a range of sophisticated schemes:

• Promotion and management of illegal betting platforms
• Use of unauthorized query panels to access personal records
• Social engineering to trick victims into sharing sensitive information
• Laundering of illegal earnings through digital wallets and shell accounts

Officials also confiscated numerous digital tools, including mobile phones, computers, SIM cards, bank cards, and cryptocurrency storage devices.

‘Cyber homeland under protection’

Minister Yerlikaya praised the work of cybercrime teams, prosecutors, and Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), saying: “We pursue criminals in the Cyber Homeland just as we do in the real world. Digital fraudsters and illegal betting networks will find no shelter.”

The large-scale operation is part of an ongoing effort to fight cyber-enabled financial crime in Türkiye, and authorities say further arrests may follow as investigations continue.