Murat Ağırel: TikTok is a money laundering haven

Journalist and author Murat Ağırel has claimed that money is being laundered on TikTok in a manner similar to the "'bit' scandal on Twitch."

"UNDER THE GUISE OF GIFTS, MONEY IS RETURNED TO THE SENDER"

In his column today, Ağırel described the money laundering methods on the TikTok application along three main lines:

“Now, individuals with funds of unknown origin send coins or gifts to popular characters hosting live streams on the TikTok application. An agreement is made with these characters beforehand. A certain portion of the money is deducted by TikTok. Another portion is taken by the streamer. The remaining part is returned to the person who sent the money under the guise of a gift. Streamers who feed off this money continue these transactions every day.

"GIFTS ARE SENT WITH STOLEN CREDIT CARDS"

The other money laundering situation in this application also occurs through gifts sent to popular characters during live streams, but this time the source of the gift is different: stolen credit cards from around the world. In other words, 'carding.' 'Coins' are purchased on the application using credit card information stolen by credit card thieves. They are collected by a single user, and that person then distributes the money systematically.

"THEY WITHDRAW THE MONEY THEY SENT"

Another method is the withdrawal system. That is, user A sends money to user B. Then, the person who sent the money immediately goes to the bank and cancels it, claiming it was sent by mistake or by their child unknowingly, and gets their money back. However, TikTok is unaware of this. It credits this money to the user's account. The moment the money is withdrawn cannot be detected. Months or years later, TikTok detects this incident. But by then, it is too late.”

Ağırel wrote, "It is actually a bottomless pit... However, the prosecutor's office and the police cybercrime units are aware of what is happening. I am not in favor of banning it, but there should be both an audit and the application should be brought within the framework of legal rules."

News Source: 12punto