Türkiye detains more than 660 suspects in cybercrime crackdown

Turkish authorities have detained 669 suspects in a large-scale cybercrime operation carried out across 39 provinces over the past two weeks, with 361 of them formally arrested.

The operation was conducted by the Cybercrime Department of the General Directorate of Security in coordination with the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and regional police units, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

According to investigators, the suspects allegedly created phishing websites posing as the government-backed TOKİ social housing project, gained unlawful access to banking applications and gaming accounts, operated illegal gambling activities and defrauded citizens through social media by advertising fake goods, investments and shares.

Authorities also accused some of the suspects of possessing child sexual abuse material.

Judicial control measures were imposed on 191 detainees, while legal proceedings against the remaining suspects are ongoing.

By Jeyhun Aghazada