Turkish authorities have detained 16 individuals and frozen assets worth approximately 300 million lira in a sweeping financial crimes investigation tied to revenue generated through online subscription platforms, prosecutors announced on Friday.
The inquiry, coordinated by a unit that handles terrorism financing and money-laundering offenses, spans eight provinces including Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. Officials said arrest warrants were issued for 25 suspects, along with action taken against two companies believed to be connected to the alleged scheme.
According to the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office, investigators believe the suspects earned substantial sums by sharing explicit material on social media and steering followers toward paid subscription services such as OnlyFans and private messaging channels, including Telegram. Authorities claim the proceeds were later funneled into real estate purchases, vehicle acquisitions and investments in bitcoin and gold in an effort to conceal their origin.
OnlyFans has been inaccessible in Turkey since June 2023, when an Istanbul court ordered the platform blocked on grounds related to public morality and family values. Prosecutors said that despite the ban, some suspects continued operating by accessing the service through virtual private networks.
As part of the enforcement action, authorities identified 10 properties and 14 vehicles allegedly linked to the suspects, along with two companies believed to have played a role in moving funds. The combined estimated value of the seized assets stands at roughly 300 million lira.
Officials did not specify formal charges but confirmed the financial investigation remains active.
The case underscores Ankara’s increasing scrutiny of digital income streams and cross-border financial flows, particularly when authorities suspect violations of domestic content or financial regulations.