Turkish law enforcement authorities have detained 16 individuals across eight provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara, on charges of money laundering linked to the OnlyFans platform. Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing Turkish media, that the investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office resulted in the seizure of assets valued at approximately 300 million lira ($6.9 million).
According to the Prosecutor's Office, the operation was executed by the department for combating terrorism financing and money laundering. The investigation targeted 25 suspects and two companies. Authorities state that the suspects shared unethical content on social media to direct users toward paid platforms such as OnlyFans and Telegram, thereby generating illegal revenue. Law enforcement officials identified and confiscated 10 real estate properties, 14 vehicles, and two companies belonging to the suspects.
The London-based OnlyFans platform has been officially blocked in Turkey since June 2023 following a court order, which cited content deemed contrary to public morality and family values. However, investigation materials suggest that the suspects utilized VPN services to bypass these restrictions. The illicit funds were allegedly laundered through real estate acquisitions, as well as investments in Bitcoin and gold. This operation highlights the increasing scrutiny by regional authorities over digital financial crimes and the use of subscription-based platforms for illicit gain. Investigations into the matter are currently ongoing.
