Turkish Authorities Bust A $40 Million Crypto Gambling Scam

Investigators are looking into a $135 million deal that has ties to organised criminal organisations in Ankara, the nation’s capital.

According to the office of the Chief Public Prosecutor in Ankara, a crackdown on illicit gaming in Turkey resulted in the confiscation of $40 million in cryptocurrencies.
Authorities in Turkey apprehended 46 men on accusations of running a gambling ring that laundered winnings to bitcoin wallets controlled by a gang headquartered in Ankara.

“This operation came out of Turkish Cyprus and is linked to the murder of Halil Falyalı,” said Turkey’s Interior Minister, Süleyman Soylu, as reported in the Daily Sabah. “A transfer of approximately 2.5 billion Turkish lira ($135 million) of money occurred. Approximately $40 million of money has been confiscated at the moment.”

Turkish casino owner Halil Falyal was assassinated in February at his residence in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus.

Regarding the efforts taken by law enforcement, Soylu stated, “This is just the beginning.”