Blow to prostitution ring at massage parlor in Ataşehir: Influencers involved

Recently, many famous names and influencers were detained and arrested in a virtual betting operation. This time, other influencers have been implicated in a prostitution operation.

In October of last year, numerous reports were filed alleging that prostitution was taking place at a massage parlor in Ataşehir, Istanbul, and that women were being directed outside the parlor for the purpose of prostitution.

Evaluating the reports, the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Bureau of Investigation for Terrorism and Organized Crime launched a meticulously conducted investigation aimed at identifying the criminal methods and rescuing the victims through technical surveillance and wiretapping.

THE INFLUENCER RUNNING THE PARLOR WAS IDENTIFIED

According to the report in Sabah Newspaper, within the scope of the investigation, 4 suspects were detained and arrested in simultaneous raids last February, and it was revealed that one of the suspects operating the massage parlor was YouTuber Kerem Balin, along with his brother-in-law, cousin, friend, and his influencer girlfriend Nehir Ayaz.

RECRUITED CLIENTS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT

In one of the reports, it was stated that YouTuber Balin's influencer girlfriend Ayaz was pimping women, recruiting clients who would come to the parlor by communicating through her own Instagram account @nehirayazofficial, and saying, "No one can do anything to me."

THE TIP-OFF CAME FROM THE INFLUENCER EX-GIRLFRIEND

The statement given by suspect and influencer Nehir Ayaz was remarkable. She said that one of the people who tipped off the authorities to dismantle the ring, which she was also a part of, was herself.

Explaining that she engaged in prostitution in Denizli while she was with Balin, posted ads online for the purpose of prostitution, and gave a share of the money she earned to her boyfriend, the influencer stated that Balin's cousin and brother-in-law also provided transportation for the clients and received a share as well.

Stating that they broke up after a while but that her ex-boyfriend's brother-in-law still took money from her, Ayaz said she later learned that her ex-boyfriend had opened a massage parlor in Ataşehir, Istanbul, and was making money by facilitating prostitution under the guise of massage, and that she subsequently reported this situation to the police.

Witnesses whose statements were taken within the scope of the file also confirmed the prostitution incident, while the prosecutor's office stated that all suspects acted in concert.

"I HAD A MASSAGE CERTIFICATE, SO I OPENED A PARLOR"

YouTuber Balin, stating that he met Nehir Ayaz while he was producing content on social media and shot her music videos, said, "I had a romantic involvement with Nehir. Later, I broke up with her because she interfered too much in my life. My YouTube channel was stolen. Since I have a massage certificate, I opened a parlor. After Nehir found out about my workplace, she constantly harassed me. I absolutely do not accept the prostitution accusation."

THEY DENIED PROSTITUTION

The other arrested suspect, Burak D., stated that they opened the parlor as 4 partners and said, "Because Kerem's girlfriend Nehir was obsessed with him, she found out about our massage parlor. She made baseless reports and threats. For this reason, we closed the shop. I definitely have no involvement in the prostitution business."

DEMAND FOR UP TO 7 YEARS IN PRISON

Following 3 months of technical surveillance and communication tracking, the prosecutor's office noted that the suspects acted in concert. In the indictment, which includes 6 female victims, a lawsuit was filed against 7 suspects, including YouTuber Kerem Balin and his influencer girlfriend Nehir Ayaz, with a request for up to 7 years in prison each for the crime of "encouraging, facilitating, mediating, or providing a place for prostitution in a chain manner."