Istanbul Led OnlyFans Probe: 16 Detained, Assets Worth Approximately ₺300 Million Seized

By Bosphorus News Staff

Turkish authorities detained 16 suspects in an Istanbul-centered operation investigating alleged money laundering linked to income generated through paid online adult content platforms, including OnlyFans.

The investigation is being conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bureau under file number 2025/263307. In its statement, the prosecutor’s office said suspects are being investigated for alleged “müstehcenlik” (obscenity) and “suç gelirlerini aklama” (money laundering) offenses.

According to the official statement, the probe covers 25 suspects and two companies, with coordinated operations carried out simultaneously across eight provinces.

Prosecutors allege that despite a court-ordered access ban on OnlyFans in Türkiye since 7 June 2023, suspects continued operating by using VPNs and IP-masking tools. The statement claims individuals directed followers from mainstream platforms such as Instagram and X to subscription-based paid content channels.

The prosecutor’s office said there were “kuvvetli emareler” (strong indications) that income generated through these channels was laundered. Authorities allege that proceeds were converted into cryptocurrencies, gold, time-deposit accounts, real estate and high-value vehicles, allegedly to conceal their origin.

As part of the investigation, precautionary measures were imposed on two companies, 10 luxury residential properties and 14 high-end vehicles, with the total estimated asset value assessed at approximately ₺300 million.

Officials stated that financial transaction trails, including digital asset movements, were examined as part of the evidence collection process.

The investigation remains ongoing.