Izmir Prosecutor’s Office Starts Investigation on Social Media Influencers Promoting Illegal Betting Sites

The Izmir Republic Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into social media influencers who promote illegal betting sites through their advertisements, encouraging their followers to participate. Details of the investigation, in which 10 out of the 16 suspects detained in Izmir, Istanbul, Antalya, Adana, and Bursa have been arrested, have emerged.

Following the statements of B.A., who was detained in the illegal betting operation on July 11th in Izmir, indicating that he made the promotion of betting sites through his manager H.Y., phone records and bank account statements were examined.

BLAMING THE MANAGERS

According to AA’s report, it was determined that H.Y. and P.S.B., who have many followers on social media, acted as intermediaries for illegal betting gangs among social media influencers with high popularity in exchange for a commission.

It was found that H.Y. and P.S.B., who share in various categories such as beauty, travel, fashion, and entertainment with approximately 1 million followers, offered advertising revenue based on the number of followers and their popularity.

It was revealed that payments starting from 250,000 liras per shared image were made to influencers who accepted the offer, and the money traffic was conducted through bank and crypto accounts. It was learned that the suspects, who were detained, claimed in their testimonies that they made the shares through managers, did not know it was illegal, and expressed regret.

(ANADOLU AGENCY)