HIBAPRESS – Agencies
Prosecutors in Turkey stated that 16 people were arrested and assets worth approximately 300 million liras ($6.9 million) were seized as part of an investigation related to content shared on the OnlyFans platform.
Prosecutors in Istanbul indicated that the investigation, led by the Department of Investigation of Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Crimes, targeted 25 suspects and two companies in operations that included eight provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.
The Public Prosecutor said that the suspects made income by sharing explicit content on social media and directing users to paid platforms, including OnlyFans and private messaging channels such as "Telegram."
"OnlyFans" has been banned in Turkey since June 7, 2023, under a ruling by a court in Istanbul on the grounds that it hosts content considered contrary to public morals and family values.
The prosecutors said that, despite the ban, the suspects accessed the platform via virtual private networks.
According to the statement, the suspects were able to launder their proceeds by purchasing assets, in addition to investments in digital bitcoin currency and gold.
The authorities seized 10 properties, 14 vehicles, and two companies linked to the suspects. The total value of the seized assets was estimated at about 300 million liras.
The Public Prosecutor's office said that the investigation is still ongoing.
