Financial Crimes Investigation Board

Following investigations by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), 92 billion Turkish Liras ($2.84 billion) in assets have been seized from social media influencers who were detained over allegations of money laundering and tax evasion, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has said.

Amid the investigations into money laundering and tax evasion targeting numerous influencers, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)'s comprehensive 60-article judiciary bill to be submitted in the upcoming year will include regulations addressing high-profile accounts suspected of criminal activities.

In the wake of the high-profile arrest of Turkish influencer Dilan Polat and her husband on charges of money laundering and tax evasion, the Treasury and Finance Ministry has established a team to investigate social media figures.

The move comes as authorities intensify efforts to combat financial crimes within the influencer community.

Turkish authorities have announced the capture of Hakan Ayık, a notorious criminal on the most wanted list in Australia, and 36 individuals affiliated with his criminal organization, Comanchero.

Within the framework of an Adana-based investigation into the activities and sabotage linked to the terrorist organization PKK/KCK in forest fires, authorities have detained five individuals suspected of financing the organization, with one of them subsequently arrested.

Turkey on Sept. 30 put into force an agreement with Malta to cooperate on investigating financial crimes.

An Austrian court has ruled to extradite a Turkish businessman to Turkey where he is being investigated for money laundering charges, his lawyer Murat Volkan Dülger said on Aug. 30.

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An Austrian court has ruled to extend the detention period of SBK Holding chairman Sezgin Baran Korkmaz, who was detained in Austria at the request of the United States, until Sept. 22.

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Turkey has formally requested the extradition of fugitive businessman Sezgin Baran Korkmaz from Austrian authorities.
Korkmaz, who had been sought for money laundering allegations both by Turkey and the U.S., was arrested on June 19 in Austria.

Ankara has already initiated the process for the extradition of businessman Sezgin Baran Korkmaz from Austria, Turkish ambassador to Austria Ozan Ceyhun has said.

Korkmaz, who had been sought by Turkey and the U.S. over money laundering allegations, was arrested in Austria on June 19 at the request of the U.S.