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Paymix indictment links 57 suspects to $602 million crypto flows

2 min
Paymix indictment links 57 suspects to $602 million crypto flows

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Turkish prosecutors have prepared an indictment in the Paymix operation, naming 57 suspects and three companies as financially liable. The indictment alleges a three-layer system that moved approximately $602 million through two TRON wallets linked to Fincrypto UAB. It also identifies 11.49 billion lira in inflows to accounts connected to 1,434 people in Turkey.

Key Facts

  • The Paymix indictment names 57 suspects and holds Pentech Bilişim, Beluza Yazılım, Bildiğin Kasap Gıda, and Pen as financially liable.
  • Two TRON wallets linked to Fincrypto UAB recorded approximately $602 million in total inflows and outflows.
  • Accounts connected to 1,434 people in Turkey received 11.49 billion lira in inflows, while 15.04 billion lira was sent to crypto asset service providers.
  • Pentech was founded on December 6, 2019, by Erdem Murat Ünal and Ulaş Utku Bozdoğan.
  • Former Technology Minister Mustafa Varank visited Pentech, and the visit was covered in the news.

Indictment Structure

The indictment describes a three-layer system for moving illegal betting proceeds. The first layer used Pentech/PenDC and Beluza for servers, IP, databases, backoffice, bonus, and software infrastructure. The second layer involved banks, payment institutions, POS, and company accounts channeling funds to crypto platforms. The third layer converted money into cash, foreign currency, and gold through Fincrypto/Paymix, crypto wallets, foreign companies, jewelers, and exchange offices. Erdem Murat Ünal provided his phone and computer passwords, as well as cold wallet and crypto information.

Key Figures

The indictment centers on Burak Başel, Ulaş Utku Bozdoğan, and Erdem Murat Ünal. Burak Başel founded Pronet Gaming, the infrastructure provider for illegal betting sites, and partnered with Veysel Şahin. Ulaş Utku Bozdoğan owns multiple illegal betting operations and lives in Malta. Erdem Murat Ünal owns Pentech, which was founded on December 6, 2019. As of March 28, 2023, Pentech shares were 60 percent Beluza and 40 percent Erdem Murat Ünal.

Political Connections

Binali Yıldırım's nephew served in Pentech management for a period but left after seeing the company's wrongful activities. Former Technology Minister Mustafa Varank visited Pentech, and the visit was reported in the news. Erdem Murat Ünal stated that Pentech was founded with illegal betting money. Varank had previously met with Neslim Gürgen and her husband's company, which faced money laundering and fake invoice allegations.

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