Turkey targets organized crime groups with massive asset seizures

criminal organization money laundering asset seizure financial investigation organized crime

Turkish authorities have launched extensive financial investigations and asset seizures targeting several organized crime groups, including the Daltonlar, Gündoğmuşlar, Şapkalılar, and the Barış Boyun Group. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered the seizure of bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, crypto assets, real estate, and company shares belonging to 818 suspects linked to these organizations.

In a separate but related series of operations, the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has taken legal action against 32 suspects associated with the 'Kuytulcular' group. This operation, conducted across six provinces, resulted in the appointment of trustees to five companies and the blocking of access to 349 social media accounts. Authorities are investigating charges including establishing a criminal organization, money laundering, fraud, and tax violations.

Investigators have also identified the use of a secret communication application named 'Glooper,' which reportedly utilizes a three-level verification system to facilitate organized activities. The Ministry of Justice emphasized that these measures aim to sever the financial lifelines of these groups and prevent the use of illicitly obtained funds for further criminal activities.

Entities

Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office · Ahmet Uğur Pakcan · Akın Gürlek · Alihan Kuriş · Alparslan Kuytul · Altun Mimarlık ve İnşaat · Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office · Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office · Arden Gıda · Barış Boyun · Barış Boyun Group · Daltonlar

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Arden Gıda's transaction volume reached 6.52 billion TL between 2017 and 2026. www.haberaktuel.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation involved operations targeting 123 addresses across 17 provinces.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Following the investigation, 32 suspects were arrested.
[● 3 SOURCES] The MASAK report highlighted significant banking transaction volumes for Arden Gıda. www.haberaktuel.com · stockholmcf.org
[● 2 SOURCES] Kuriş reported having approximately 650,000 TL in a personal bank account. www.haberaktuel.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Alihan Kuriş denied all charges, including forming a criminal organization and money laundering. www.haberaktuel.com · www.sonhavadis.com · www.sozcu.com.tr
[● 5 SOURCES] Alihan Kuriş stated his average monthly income is approximately 380,000 TL. www.haberaktuel.com · www.sonhavadis.com · www.sozcu.com.tr
[● 5 SOURCES] Kuriş claimed the gold and jewelry found at his residence were family savings, including his wife's wedding jewelry. www.haberaktuel.com · www.sonhavadis.com · www.sozcu.com.tr
[● 5 SOURCES] A total of 32 suspects, including Alihan Kuriş, have been arrested following the investigation. stockholmcf.org · www.sozcu.com.tr · www.konhaber.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Police operations related to the investigation were conducted across 17 provinces. stockholmcf.org
[● 3 SOURCES] Authorities seized 206 kilograms of gold bullion during searches at a location in Ümraniye. www.yenisafak.com · www.sozcu.com.tr
[● 4 SOURCES] Alihan Kuriş denied all criminal charges during his interrogation. www.haberaktuel.com · www.sonhavadis.com · www.sozcu.com.tr