Istanbul –FiMED

The Turkish Interior Ministry announced the detention of 327 suspects in simultaneous security operations carried out in 22 provinces over the past five days, targeting cybercrimes including the exploitation of children online, online fraud and illegal betting.

The ministry said 137 of those detained were referred to the competent courts and ordered held in pre-trial detention, while 75 others were placed under judicial supervision, with security procedures continuing against the remaining suspects.

The operations were carried out in coordination between the Cybercrime Combating Department of the General Directorate of Security, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and public prosecutors' offices, with the participation of cybercrime units in the security directorates of the provinces concerned, including Ankara, Antalya, Istanbul and Izmir.

Fraud via phishing sites and bank accounts

According to the investigations, some of those involved are suspected of using social media platforms and phishing websites to carry out fraud under various pretexts, including providing assistance with wheelchairs, investment partnership opportunities and the sale of car spare parts.

The investigations also uncovered suspicions related to the circulation of child sexual exploitation material, the operation of illegal betting and gambling websites, facilitating and promoting the transfer of funds linked to them, as well as unauthorised access to citizens' mobile banking and online gaming accounts.

During the operations, security forces seized a large quantity of materials and digital devices for use in the investigations.

AI-supported online monitoring

In a related context, the ministry said that AI-supported monitoring and surveillance of open sources on the internet resulted in the identification of 936 accounts and individuals in files covering the promotion of illegal weapons, organised crime and contract killing, drug trafficking and promotion, as well as content related to pornography, prostitution and traffic violations. Virtual monitoring directed against terrorist organisations also identified 553 accounts and individuals.

The ministry added that the total number of accounts and individuals identified on suspicion of publishing content involving criminal elements on social media platforms and websites reached 3,501.

Based on the measures taken, decisions were issued to block access to or remove the content of 864 web addresses.

These operations come within the Turkish authorities' efforts to combat cybercrime, digital fraud and illegal betting, alongside intensified electronic monitoring of content and activities suspected of violating the law.