US citizen Richard James Schueler, suspected of committing a $1 billion cryptocurrency fraud in the United States and Finland and reportedly subject to an Interpol Red Notice, has been detained in Istanbul, APA reports.
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced this on his social media account.
According to the information, an operation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, involving the Intelligence and Financial Crimes Departments of the Istanbul Police Department and supported by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), established that the suspect was in Istanbul.
Schueler and his wife were detained during an operation conducted in the Beşiktaş district on October 14. As part of subsequent operations, three more individuals identified as providing security for Schueler were also detained.
During searches conducted at a total of 15 addresses in the Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, and Sarıyer districts, authorities discovered and seized $7.15 million and 160,000 Turkish liras, 300 bags of various brands, 100 pairs of shoes, 136 pairs of glasses, 28 wristwatches, 97 pieces of jewelry and other valuables, 29 mobile phones, 12 laptops, 11 computer towers, 19 SSDs and external storage devices, 46 USB flash drives, 19 graphics cards, four long-barreled rifles, three unlicensed pistols, and 1,400 rounds of ammunition.
Legal proceedings against the suspects and investigations into the seized materials are reportedly ongoing.
Akın Gürlek stated that Türkiye would not allow the country to become a haven for individuals suspected of committing transnational crimes and wanted internationally.
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