Daesh financial network dismantled in Türkiye’s Aegean region

Turkish authorities have dismantled a significant financial network linked to the Daesh terrorist organization in an operation spanning four provinces, exposing over ₺100 million ($2.84 million) in illicit funds generated through fraudulent charity campaigns.

The investigation, led by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, targeted 23 suspects allegedly involved in financing the terrorist organization.

Coordinated police operations in Izmir, Mersin, Adana, and Manisa resulted in the detention of 16 suspects, with 10 subsequently arrested.

How Daesh’s network operated?

Over a year-long technical and physical surveillance, police uncovered the financial network’s operations with support from Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).

Suspects operated under the guise of legitimate businesses, including jewelry stores, currency exchange offices, markets, telecommunications outlets, food suppliers, and logistics companies.

Funds were primarily raised through social media campaigns labeled as “donations” or “charity.” Investigators found that suspects retained commissions from the collected funds before transferring the remainder to Daesh terrorists in conflict zones.

The ‘Hawala’ system, fund transfers

Authorities revealed the suspects used the informal “Hawala” system, a traditional method of transferring money without physical movement. Through encrypted communication channels such as WhatsApp, funds were coordinated and distributed internationally.

In this system, funds were deposited domestically and collected abroad via verification codes provided to recipients.

Police discovered that the network also converted raised funds into tradeable goods, which were then transferred to Daesh-affiliated terrorist groups through intermediary companies.

Financial trail leads to over $2.84M

The investigation concluded that over 100 million Turkish lira was funneled to Daesh over more than a year. Police have since blocked further financial movements within the network and are working to identify other individuals involved, including international intermediaries linked to the money transfers.

Ongoing investigation, future steps

The Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office continues to deepen the investigation, focusing on individuals and companies involved in financial activities tied to Daesh. Authorities are also tracing connections to global unregistered companies that facilitated the transactions.

In simultaneous raids across ten business locations, police seized critical financial records and communication devices, which are expected to provide further insight into the network’s operations.

Source » turkiyetoday.com