10 arrested for illegal betting operation in Kyrenia

A total of 10 people were arrested for "Laundering Proceeds of Crime and Conducting Illegal Gambling on the Internet Contrary to Games of Chance" law in a simultaneous operations in Kyrenia.

The individuals, MT, CC, SA, TB, AD, HA, MG, CB, KC and TK were brought to court on Friday November 22 on charges of money laundering and operating illegal online gambling platforms.

Police in a court statement said, on 19 November 2024, based on a search warrant issued by the Girne District Court, a raid was conducted at Avrasya Site on Şht. Fevait Ali Street in Girne. Authorities discovered that CB, along with TB and HA, were hosting unauthorized online gambling through websites such as Vip Royal Slot, Royal Vip, and Vipslot.

Simultaneously, a separate operation at the residence of KC in Serdarlı revealed that he was providing live support and call center services for the illegal gambling platform Vipplace without proper authorization.

Further investigations found that AD also provided live support services for the Vipplace website, while MG was part of a WhatsApp group that facilitated gambling activities.

Additionally, MT, CC and SA were summoned on 20 November 2024 by the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit. Their involvement in providing live support for the Vippalace gambling platform was confirmed during interrogations.

Authorities seized: 9 computers, 19 mobile phones, 4 USB drives, 10,175 TL, 5,377 USD.

A detailed examination of the confiscated devices revealed that the platforms had a total transaction volume of 5.5 billion TL and a net profit of 49.43 million TL.

The judge ruled that: MT, CC, SA, TB and AD be released on bail with the following conditions: they are banned from travelling abroad, report to the police once a week, pay a cash bail of 50,000 TL each, bring 2 guarantors for each defendant, sign bail bonds of 750,000 TL.

The suspects BA, MG, CB and KC  will remain detained for 7 days, while TK remains in custody for 3 days as investigations continue.