Illegal betting investigation into Trpos: 24 detained, TMSF appointed as trustee to the company

An operation was conducted in 4 provinces centered in Istanbul as part of an investigation into Trpos Ödeme Kuruluşu AŞ regarding allegations of illegal betting and money laundering of assets derived from crime. Within the scope of the operation, 24 suspects were detained.

According to the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Investigation for Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Crimes under the charges of "laundering assets derived from crime" and violations of Law No. 7258.

It was stated that the investigation evaluated the external audit report of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey dated March 6, the reports of MASAK dated May 2 and May 11, and the expert reports dated August 31 collectively.

3.1 BILLION LIRA TRANSACTION VOLUME DETECTED

In the statement by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was recalled that Trpos provides physical POS, virtual POS, and payment-by-link services within the scope of the operating license it received from the Central Bank. It was noted that the examinations revealed strong financial evidence that accounts belonging to certain member merchants were used for collecting funds from players within the scope of illegal betting activities and transferring these funds to other accounts.

The statement reported that the payment infrastructure provided by the company to the aforementioned member merchants was used to mediate the transfer of money linked to illegal betting and to launder assets derived from crime; in this context, it was determined that a transaction volume of 3.1 billion lira was reached in 2024-2025.

Within the scope of the investigation, proceedings were initiated against a total of 27 suspects, identified as officials, partners, and employees of the payment institution and the member merchants where the income assessed to be derived from illegal betting was collected. Simultaneous search, seizure, and detention operations were carried out in Istanbul, Adana, Mersin, and Tekirdağ by teams from the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Anti-Cybercrime Branch.

While 24 suspects were apprehended in the operation, it was reported that efforts to apprehend the remaining 3 suspects are ongoing. On the grounds that it was determined that crimes were committed within the framework of the company's activities, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as a trustee to the management of Trpos Ödeme Kuruluşu AŞ by the decision of the Istanbul Duty Criminal Court of Peace.

Within the scope of the investigation, blocks were placed on 245 bank and crypto accounts belonging to the suspects. Additionally, a total of 57 assets, including 18 residences, 14 vehicles, 16 fields/vineyards, 7 plots of land, and 2 commercial properties, were seized. The approximate market value of the seized assets is estimated to be 247 million lira.

News Source: 12punto