Türkiye froze more than 6,300 bank accounts linked to illegal betting networks during the FIFA World Cup final as authorities launched one of the country's largest coordinated operations targeting online gambling and related financial crimes.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced Sunday that authorities identified 6,314 bank accounts used in illegal betting transactions before the final match and simultaneously ordered banks to freeze them as the game kicked off.
The operation was coordinated by the Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in cooperation with cybercrime units of the Istanbul Provincial Police Department.
In a statement shared on social media platform NSosyal, Gürlek said the crackdown forms part of Türkiye's broader campaign against illegal betting, online gambling and criminal proceeds, carried out under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and in coordination with the Interior Ministry.
"Within the scope of the operation, 6,314 bank accounts used in illegal betting transactions were identified. As the final match began, simultaneous orders were sent to banks to immediately freeze these accounts," Gürlek said.
