Turkish authorities have detained 16 individuals in a major crackdown on alleged money laundering linked to content on the OnlyFans platform, seizing assets worth approximately 300 million lira (£6.9 million). The operation, led by a specialised department focusing on terrorism financing and money laundering, took place on Friday across eight provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.
According to the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office, the investigation targeted 25 suspects and two companies. Prosecutors allege that suspects generated income by sharing explicit content on social media and directing users to paid platforms such as OnlyFans and private messaging channels like Telegram.
OnlyFans has been blocked in Turkey since June 7, 2023, by an Istanbul court ruling that deemed its content contrary to public morality and family values. Despite the ban, suspects accessed the platform using virtual private networks (VPNs), prosecutors said.
The suspects are accused of laundering proceeds through asset purchases, as well as investments in bitcoin and gold. Authorities identified 10 properties, 14 vehicles, and two companies linked to the suspects, with a total estimated value of around 300 million lira.
