Turkish authorities dismantle major crime network in multi-province operation VIDEO

Turkish security forces have dismantled a large-scale organised crime ring operating across six provinces, resulting in the arrest of 20 individuals, including the ringleader identified by the initials H.Y., authorities announced on August 25.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the operation, led by the Sinop Provincial Gendarmerie Command and coordinated by the Sinop Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, targeted suspects in Sinop, Mersin, Adana, Elazığ, Gaziantep, and Hatay, Caliber.Az reports. 

Sinop merkezli 6 ilde elebaşılığını H.Y.'nin yaptığı Organize Suç Örgütüne yönelik Jandarmamız tarafından düzenlenen operasyonlarımızda hesaplarında 643 Milyon TL para hareketliliği bulunan ve elebaşının da içerisinde bulunduğu 20 şüpheliyi yakaladık❗️
❌ 11'i TUTUKLANDI.
❌ 9’u… pic.twitter.com/JbXOc3tQQP

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) August 25, 2025

Authorities stated that the group had illicitly moved approximately 643 million Turkish Lira ($23.5 million) through various accounts, victimising 325 citizens. A total of 472 bank accounts linked to the suspects have been frozen.

According to the statement, the suspects recorded sexually explicit videos and images of victims by exploiting their social media accounts. They then contacted the victims while posing as lawyers, demanding payments to pre-arranged bank accounts. The illegally obtained funds were subsequently transferred into cryptocurrency accounts.

Of the 20 suspects apprehended, 11 were formally arrested, while judicial control measures were imposed on the remaining 9. Investigations into the individuals are ongoing under the supervision of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices.

Minister Yerlikaya extended his congratulations to the Sinop Governor, the Sinop Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Gendarmerie Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) Department, and financial crimes investigators for their role in the operation. He reaffirmed Türkiye's continued commitment to combating organised crime.

“Our fight and operations against organised crime organisations continue determinedly to ensure that no crime or criminal goes unpunished,” Yerlikaya said.

By Sabina Mammadli