Turkish Authorities Freeze €460M in Crypto Linked to Illegal Gambling Probe
Istanbul prosecutors have seized digital assets worth €460 million ($500 million) in an international money laundering investigation targeting illegal gambling operations. The freeze order follows forensic analysis by Turkey's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), which traced criminal proceeds across multiple jurisdictions.
Veysel Şahin, the primary suspect, allegedly operated an offshore betting network that funneled profits through cryptocurrency holdings. Investigators identified movable assets, real estate, and corporate shares tied to the scheme under Turkey's anti-money laundering laws.
Authorities are now pursuing repatriation of the frozen crypto assets from foreign exchanges. The case highlights growing global coordination in tracking illicit crypto flows, with Turkish regulators increasingly deploying chain analytics to combat financial crime.
