Özge Taşker Falyali

Full Report

Key Points

• Background: Özge Taşker Falyalı is a Cypriot businesswoman and dietician, born in 1983 in Gazimağusa, Cyprus. She is the widow of Halil Falyalı, a Turkish Cypriot businessman assassinated in 2022, who was allegedly involved in illegal gambling and money laundering.
• Business Ventures: She manages family businesses, including Les Ambassadeurs Hotel and Casino, and operates the Halil Falyalı Assistance Foundation, focusing on charitable activities.
• Legal Issues: Indicted in Turkey in December 2024 among 250 individuals for involvement in a criminal organization led by her late husband, accused of money laundering and illegal gambling.
• Controversies: Linked to her husband’s alleged illicit activities, with reports suggesting she continued managing illegal betting operations post his death. She also faced a negligence case in 2024 related to a worker’s death at her hotel.
• Public Perception: Known for philanthropy and business acumen, but her reputation is marred by allegations of criminal involvement and ongoing legal battles.

Overview

Özge Taşker Falyalı, born in 1983 in Gazimağusa, Cyprus, is a dietician by profession, having graduated third in her class from Başkent University’s Health Sciences Faculty in Ankara, Turkey. She established the Özge Taşker Healthy Nutrition and Diet Center in Nicosia, Cyprus, and has been recognized for her contributions to healthy eating initiatives. Following the assassination of her husband, Halil Falyalı, in February 2022, she took over the management of family businesses, including Les Ambassadeurs Hotel and Casino and LesLand Entertainment Center. She also chairs the Halil Falyalı Assistance Foundation, which has supported disaster relief and educational projects, such as the Halil Falyalı Special Education and Vocational School in Ziyamet, Cyprus. Özge has relocated to Dubai with her three children, seeking a safer environment while continuing to oversee her businesses remotely.

Allegations and Concerns

• Money Laundering and Illegal Gambling: Özge Taşker Falyalı was indicted in Turkey in December 2024 as part of a large-scale investigation into a criminal organization allegedly founded by Halil Falyalı. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses her of participating in illegal gambling and laundering assets derived from criminal activities, with transactions involving cryptocurrency transfers totaling over 2.5 billion TL (€70.5 million).
• Continuation of Illegal Operations: A 2022 report by Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) alleged that Özge continued her husband’s illegal betting operations after his death, with her account holding approximately 25.6 million USD in cryptocurrency as of April 2022.
• Negligence in Worker’s Death: In July 2024, Özge was investigated for negligence following the death of a worker, Lahiru Priyadarshana Perera Kumbukage, who was electrocuted at Les Ambassadeurs Hotel. She was released on bail after fulfilling court conditions.
• Association with Criminal Networks: Allegations link her to her husband’s purported criminal activities, including claims by Turkish mafia boss Sedat Peker that Halil Falyalı was involved in a drug and money laundering ring connected to high-profile Turkish figures.

Customer Feedback

• Positive Feedback: Özge is praised for her philanthropy and business leadership. The Halil Falyalı Assistance Foundation’s efforts, such as providing aid during Turkey’s 2022 earthquake and opening a special education school, have been well-received. A local media outlet described her as “always smiling, sincere, successful, helpful, and loved by everyone.”
• Negative Feedback: Public sentiment is mixed due to her alleged involvement in illegal activities. Reports suggest that her management of betting sites has drawn criticism for oppressive practices toward employees, with some labeling her the “Queen” of the illegal betting industry, implying ruthless business tactics. No direct consumer reviews of her businesses were found, but the controversy surrounding her husband’s legacy taints her public image.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: The potential seizure of assets by Turkish authorities due to the money laundering indictment poses a significant threat to her financial stability. Over $60 million in properties in Dubai, allegedly linked to illicit gains, are at risk.
• Reputational Risks: Özge’s association with her husband’s alleged criminal empire and ongoing legal battles damage her credibility as a businesswoman and philanthropist. Negative media coverage, particularly in Cyprus and Turkey, may hinder her business operations and public support.
• Legal Risks: The ongoing criminal case in Turkey, with a potential sentence of up to 51 years and nine months, presents a severe legal risk. Additionally, the negligence case related to the worker’s death could lead to further legal and financial penalties.
• Operational Risks: Managing businesses remotely from Dubai while under legal scrutiny may strain operational efficiency and expose her enterprises to regulatory crackdowns, especially in the gambling sector.

Business Relations and Associations

• Family Businesses: Özge oversees Les Ambassadeurs Hotel and Casino and LesLand Entertainment Center, which employ thousands and contribute to Cyprus’s economy. These were inherited from Halil Falyalı, who was a prominent figure in the region’s gambling industry.
• Halil Falyalı Assistance Foundation: She chairs this foundation, which has collaborated with the Cypriot government, including Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Education Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, on projects like the “One School from You” campaign.
• Alleged Criminal Associates: Reports suggest connections with individuals involved in her husband’s operations, including a hotel protection manager (H.A.) and a suspect in a major investigation (A.A.), as noted in the MASAK report.
• International Affiliations: Her relocation to Dubai and ownership of significant properties there indicate ties to international financial networks, potentially linked to cryptocurrency transactions.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Indictment: Özge is one of 250 individuals indicted in Turkey for money laundering and illegal gambling, with prosecutors seeking a 51-year sentence. The case involves 19 companies, including those under her control, potentially facing financial penalties.
• Negligence Case: In October 2024, Özge was charged in connection with the electrocution death of a worker at her hotel. She was released on bail, but the case remains unresolved.
• Asset Seizure Risk: Turkish authorities may seize assets linked to the alleged criminal organization, including properties in Dubai valued at over $60 million.
• Historical Context: Halil Falyalı faced a U.S. arrest warrant in 2016 for money laundering and drug charges, and was arrested in Cyprus in 2021 for assault, though the case was dropped. These incidents add context to the ongoing scrutiny of Özge’s financial dealings.

Risk Assessment Table

Stakeholders, investors, and partners should exercise extreme caution when engaging with Özge Taşker Falyalı or her businesses. The high legal and financial risks, coupled with her alleged involvement in illicit activities, suggest potential instability. Those considering partnerships should conduct thorough due diligence, focusing on her financial transactions and legal standing in Turkey and Cyprus. Her charitable work, while commendable, may serve as a reputational shield and should not overshadow the serious allegations. Monitoring the outcome of her legal cases is critical before making any commitments.