The Turkish government was seen dealing with an array of criminalities concerning the crypto-verse as it prepares to ban payments in crypto. However, the Turkish police did not fall back as they were quick enough to bag several suspects associated with the country’s most recent crypto fraud.
Last week, Thodex, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange in Turkey, suspended withdrawals for its users. This abrupt decision caused an immense commotion amongst its users. Right after this, the CEO of the platform, Faruk Fatih Özer, went missing which added to the unrest. Even though the CEO absconded, the police managed to detain over 83 people involved in the case.
Most recently, it was revealed that the officials had arrested about six individuals part of the case. This list included the siblings of the CEO who is still missing.
Turkish Authorities Bag Missing CEO’s Siblings
It was recently reported that six members were awaiting trial by the Turkish court. The CEO’s brother and sister Güven Özer and Serap Özer were also detained by the police as they reportedly had a huge role to play in the crypto exchange. Additionally, it was also noted that these members from the Özer family had notable crypto holdings.
The CEO’s sister Serap Özer, who also looked into the finances of the exchange, recorded transactions of about 120 million liras in her possession on the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. She outrightly shot down these claims and suggested that the account did not belong to her. The brother, Güven Özer did not have a major role in the platform but still held about 22 million Turkish liras.
Furthermore, Özer was seen boarding a flight to Albania from Istanbul which has caused Interpol to issue a red notice. Apart from Albania, Turkish authorities have sent out units to four other countries to look for the CEO. Speaking about the same, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said,
“When he is caught with the red notice, we have extradition agreements with a large part of these countries. God willing he will be caught and he will be returned.”
While this case has been taking different turns, the government of Turkey’s ban on crypto payments came into effect on Friday 30 April 2021.