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Turkish cryptocurrency platform founder vanishes

April 22, 2021

Turkey has opened an investigation into Fatih Faruk Ozer, founder of cryptocurrency platform Thodex. Ozer is now wanted on suspicion of fraud and founding a criminal organization.

In this illustration photo global cryptocurrency exchange "Thodex" logos are both displayed on a smart phone and a pc screen in Ankara, Turkey on April 22, 2021.
Turkish cryptocurrency site Thodex went offline earlier in the week, now it seems the company founder might have fled the countryImage: Mehmet Ali Oezcan/AA/picture alliance

Prosecutors in Istanbul on Thursday launched a probe into Turkish cryptocurrency exchange  platform Thodex after its founder shut down its site and reportedly fled the country with as much as $2 billion (€1.7 billion) in investors' assets.

Thodex had posted a statement on its website saying it would be closed four to five days because of an unspecified potential outside investment.

Soon thereafter, Turkish cryptocurrency traders filed thousands of criminal complaints against Thodex after they were unable to access their accounts or withdraw their money deposited with the company.

Istanbul's Public Prosecutor's Office said Thodex had led to the "aggrievement of many citizens" and opened an investigation into its founder Fatih Faruk Ozer on charges of "aggravated fraud and founding a criminal organisation", the private DHA news agency reported.

On the run?

Turkish security officials have released a photo of Ozer going through passport control at Istanbul airport on his way to an unspecified location. According to local media reports, Ozer, said to be either 27 or 28, had flown either to Albania or Thailand.

Lawyer Abdullah Usame Ceran, who has filed a criminal complaint against Ozer, has appealed to authorities to seize the platform's assets, including bank accounts, shares and holdings, Anadolu Agency reported.

Investigators are looking into potential fraud on the part of company founder Faruk Fatih OzerImage: privat

Thodex denies reports, says mystery deal pending

Reports said Thodex has 400,000 members, of whom 391,000 are active in trading.

According to Coinmarketcap, the 24-hour trading volume on Thodex was $538 million on its last trading day.

Turkish news agency HaberTurk said Thodex suspended trading after running a promotional campaign that sold Dogecoins at a rebate but did not allow investors to sell.

Thodex posted on its website that "negative" media reports about the company were not true.

"Globally-renowned banks and funds, whose names we are going to announce when the agreement process is completed, have been wanting to invest in our company and proposed a partnership for a long time," it said. "For this process to be completed, transactions need to be halted and the sale process needs to be completed."

Turkey to tighten grip on crypto market

Cryptocurrency was becoming increasingly popular among people in Turkey despite skepticism on the side of the government and a largely unregulated market. 

The Turkish central bank has warned digital currencies "entail significant risks" and has decided to bar the use of crypto currencies in payments for goods and services starting from April 30.

"Wallets can be stolen or used unlawfully without the authorization of their holders," the central bank said last week.

mvb/msh (Reuters, AFP)

 

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