Turkey vs. Onlyfans: 25 arrested on suspicion of money laundering related to content on the banned platform

According to a report in “Turkey Today”, the investigation focuses on a network of people accused of selling photos and videos of a sexually explicit nature on the Internet. Prosecutors claim that the suspects channeled their profits through complex financial instruments and corporate structures to disguise the source of the funds.

The platform was officially blocked in Turkey on June 7, 2023, following a court ruling that stated that its contents were not appropriate for public morality and the family structure in the country.

Despite the official block, the findings of the investigation reveal that users continued to access the platform using VPN services. The suspects used public accounts on social networks to promote access to content, directing users to paid private content on OnlyFans or closed channels on the Telegram app.

The financial tests conducted by the authorities revealed that the income from the activity was converted into a wide range of assets and investments, including vehicles, real estate, gold and cryptocurrencies, as well as deposited in bank deposit accounts. The Attorney General’s Office stated that there is significant evidence that the funds, which originate from crimes related to heinous content, were laundered through a series of financial transactions and investment vehicles. As of this time, the authorities continue By carefully examining bank records and digital data seized during the operation to deepen the investigation.