Technical Evidence in Match-Fixing and Betting Cases

Introduction: The Transformation of Evidence in Modern Match-Fixing Cases

Today, cases of match-fixing and betting manipulation have ceased to be solely focused on sports competitions; they have become multifaceted investigations where technical surveillance, financial analysis, and digital evidence examination take center stage.
Particularly Law No. 6222, Article 220 of the Turkish Penal, Article 252 of the Turkish Penal Code (bribery) , and Law No. 7258 , the Supreme Court of Appeals;

bank account transactions,
HTS records,
tape recordings,
WhatsApp/Telegram conversations,
He has repeatedly emphasized the great importance of technical evidence such as IP address analyses

This article examines in detail the legal value of technical evidence used in match-fixing and betting cases, which evidence is decisive in which situation, the approach of the Supreme Court, and how defense strategies should be formulated.

I. The Concept of Evidence in Match-Fixing and Betting Cases

For the crime of match-fixing to occur, the following three elements must be demonstrated with concrete evidence:

Provision of benefit or promise
Intent to influence the outcome of the match
Deceptive behavior

These elements are proven with technical evidence.

II. Bank Account Transactions: The Most Critical Evidence of Match-Fixing

According to the Supreme Court, the fundamental element of match-fixing is the obtaining of a benefit. Therefore, bank transactions are the strongest evidence in the investigation.

1. Timing of Money Transfers

The prosecution is examining the following questions:

Was the money transfer made before the match?
Is there a relationship between poor performance and time?
Were the chain transfers made on the same day?
Are there any suspicious phrases in the transfer announcement?
Was the money channeled through third parties?

2. Wire Transfer – EFT – ATM Records

ATM camera footage
Identity of the person withdrawing the money
Security cameras showing cash being handed over

It is very important.

3. Cryptocurrency Transfers

In recent years, match-fixing cases have been handled through cryptocurrency transfers.

USDT
Bitcoin
TRC20 networks
Binance–OKX exchange records

It is monitored by MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board).

4. The Supreme Court's Approach to Bank Evidence

The 5th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals has established the following precedent:

"In proving match-fixing, the flow of money, when supported by digital correspondence, is the strongest evidence."

Therefore, proving match-fixing is very difficult without financial evidence.

III. HTS Records: The Importance of Telephone Call Traffic

HTS records:

Individuals who were contacted by phone
Interview duration
Meeting hours
Base station location

It includes information such as these.

1. Why is this important in match-fixing cases?

Because match-fixing deals usually involve:

Phone call
WhatsApp/Telegram chat
Call logs

It is carried out through.

HTS records the existence of a connection between .

2. Is HTS alone sufficient?

According to the Supreme Court:

"Historical phone records alone do not prove match-fixing; they must be supported by other evidence."

Therefore, HTS records are mostly supplementary evidence .

IV. Tape Recordings (Article 135 of the Turkish Criminal Procedure Code): The Impact of Telephone Wiretapping

Since match-fixing offenses are included in the catalog of crimes, technical surveillance can be carried out.

1. How to Use Tape Recordings?

Athlete-manager conversations
Dialogues with betting organization leaders
Money transfer conversations
Pre-match instructions

It will all be revealed through tape recordings.

2. Are Tape Recordings Alone Sufficient?

According to the Supreme Court:

"If the content of the tape recordings is unclear, open to interpretation, or the identity of the speaker is uncertain, it is not sufficient grounds for conviction on its own."

Therefore, the conversations:

Context
Identity match
Minutes

It is very important.

V. Digital Evidence: WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal Messages

Almost all modern match-fixing cases are based on digital evidence.

1. WhatsApp and Telegram Conversations

These are the most common pieces of evidence. The following statements are considered critical:

"Do this in the match,"
"The money is ready,"
"We're giving up on this match,"
"The bonus has arrived,"
"I spoke with the professor,"

These communications constitute evidence.

2. Is a screenshot alone sufficient?

The Supreme Court's approach:

"A single screenshot is weak legal evidence; it must be supported by a device inspection."

3. Device Review and Hash Value

According to Article 134 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in digital materials:

Hash value (SHA-256)
Amount
Image acquisition process

It is mandatory.

Digital evidence becomes invalid if it is not done correctly.

VI. IP Address, Device ID, and Location Records

IP addresses in match-fixing and betting cases:

Betting
Creating coupons
Betting manipulation
Betting organization connection

It is used to prove accusations such as these.

1. Could the IP address be a mismatch?

Yes.
Using a VPN, sharing Wi-Fi, or exchanging mobile data can all cause IP address errors.

This defense digital analyst reports .

VII. Video and Performance Analyses

If a footballer intentionally plays poorly, this can be detected through performance analysis.

The criteria examined were:

Running distance
Sprint speed
Pass accuracy rate
Intentional error analysis
Goalkeeper positioning data
GPS data

The Supreme Court's approach:

"Performance data alone cannot prove match-fixing, but it is supporting evidence."

VIII. Witness Statements

Witnesses:

Football players
Technical team
Club staff
Betting players
Fund collectors

it could be.

According to the Supreme Court, witness statements:

It must be consistent
It must be concrete,
It must be consistent with material evidence.

It is not enough on its own.

IX. Evidence Strategies from a Defence Perspective

The most critical point for a lawyer
is the analysis of the legality and probative value of the evidence.

1. Procedure for Deciding to Listen in

Is there a court order?
Is the justification sufficient?
Has the listening time been extended?
Does it comply with the principle of proportionality?

If it's illegal, the tape recordings will be invalidated.

2. Disclosure of Money Transfers

Debt relationship
Commercial activity
Personal payment
Family support
Club internal bonus

The defense should try to separate the financial chain from the match-fixing.

3. Hash verification in digital evidence

Incorrect hash = invalid evidence.

4. Reducing the action to the level of "incentive"

The crime of accepting incentive payments carries a lighter penalty.

Conclusion

Match-fixing and betting investigations are technical cases requiring multifaceted evidence analysis. The concrete truth emerges when bank transactions, digital data, HTS records, and audio recordings are examined together. The Supreme Court's approach is that evidence be evaluated as a whole .

Therefore, in match-fixing or betting allegations, it is vital for both the prosecution and the defense to possess technical knowledge, accurately analyze digital evidence, and carefully examine financial transactions.

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