Turkish interior minister announces major cybercrime arrests

The operations were conducted by the General Directorate of Security Cyber Crimes Department in an effort to combat various online offenses.

During a statement released on his official social media account, Minister Yerlikaya disclosed the results of the extensive efforts by law enforcement agencies. Out of the 168 operations conducted in the past two months, 113 of them specifically targeted crimes related to "payment, informatics, and illegal betting," leading to the arrest of 219 suspects.

Furthermore, an additional 55 operations were specifically focused on combating "online child obscenity" crimes. As a result of these targeted efforts, 17 individuals involved in such heinous offenses were apprehended by the authorities.

The Turkish authorities have been vigilant in their efforts to ensure a safer online environment, and their dedication has been reflected in the monitoring of criminal posts. A staggering 10,722 criminal posts were identified and flagged by virtual patrols during the operations.

In addition to apprehending suspects involved in cybercrimes, the operations also targeted the proceeds of criminal activities. A substantial amount of 661 million 537 thousand 263 TL money and assets were successfully seized as part of the fight against illegal financial gains.

SON 60 GÜNDE;
Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü Siber Suçlarla Mücadele Daire Başkanlığımızca toplam:

1⃣6⃣8⃣ operasyon gerçekleşti. Bu operasyonlarda
2⃣1️⃣9️⃣ kişi tutuklandı.

❌Ödeme, bilişim ve bahis suçlarına karşı:
1⃣1⃣3⃣ operasyon gerçekleşti. Bu operasyonlarda
2⃣0️⃣2️⃣ kişi… pic.twitter.com/XiYzeDv1aI
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) August 4, 2023

The interior minister's announcement highlights the government's commitment to tackle cybercrime and protect citizens from the dangers lurking in the digital sphere. As technology continues to evolve, authorities remain steadfast in their efforts to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the online community.

The arrests and asset seizures signal a clear message to cybercriminals that their activities will not be tolerated, and that the Turkish government is taking proactive measures to maintain a secure cyber landscape for its citizens. The ongoing efforts are expected to further strengthen cybersecurity and safeguard vulnerable individuals, particularly minors, from the dangers posed by online criminal activities. (ILKHA)