Turkish law enforcement agencies conducted a large-scale operation against illegal betting and virtual gambling activities in 16 provinces, arresting 27 people, including several well-known social media influencers.
This operation, codenamed "CYBERAG-13," is the result of a collaborative effort by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office and the Security Service's cybercrime department.
The four-month investigation specifically targeted social media users with large followings who are suspected of promoting illegal gambling platforms and encouraging gambling activities through online activities.
It is worth noting that this operation covered major cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Gaziantep, as well as many other provinces in Turkey.
The Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, emphasized the seriousness of illegal gambling, stating that it is a criminal act that poses a threat not only to individuals but also to society as a whole.
The minister also highlighted the continuity of law enforcement work and noted that virtual patrols in the so-called "cyber homeland" are ongoing around the clock.
This crackdown follows recent actions taken by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), which imposed severe penalties on clubs found to be promoting illegal gambling, including fines of up to 10 million Turkish Lira ($283,000) and possible point deductions. These measures reflect the extensive actions taken by Turkey to combat illegal gambling.
