A Turkish crypto crook who allegedly swindled at least GBP 10 million from investors has been sentenced to more than 11,000 years in prison.
Accused Faruk Fatih Ozer and six other defendants were on trial on fraud charges at the 9th Heavy Penal Court of Anatolia in Istanbul.
Ozer, who founded the cryptocurrency exchange Thodex, was sentenced to 11,196 years, 10 months, and 15 days in prison, along with his two siblings and fined TRY 135 million (GBP 4 million) after being found guilty on several fraud charges.
Prosecutors had requested a stiff sentence of 12,142 to 40,462 years for the 29-year-old, who was caught in Albania on 30th August last year after going on the run.
According to prosecutors, he and the other defendants used the platform to swindle investors out of a whopping TRY 356 million (GBP 10.1 million).
In his final statement, Ozer said: “This is not a country ruled by tyranny.
“The injustice faced by us and our family needs to come to an end.
“Thodex is just a company that went bankrupt. Thodex is not a criminal organisation; it’s a company.
“It’s clear that those suspected in the case have been victims for more than two years.
“The reason this trial has reached this stage today is because of my photos with several ministers and members of parliament from Turkey on the internet.
“None of the mentioned ministers or MPs had any relationship with me.
“I want to conclude my defence with a verse from Musa Eroglu’s song ‘Yolun Sonu Gorunuyor’ (The End of the Road is Visible): ‘I passed through the world, life is just a deep breath. Look, the end of the road is visible from beyond fate’s circle. Azrael (the Angel of Death) comes on his own, he doesn’t care if you’re a lord or a master. The numbered days are running out, the end of the road is visible.'”
His sister, Serap Ozer, who was also being tried alongside 20 other defendants, said in her defence: “When Thodex was founded, I was not working for this company.
“I joined this company not for the purpose of committing a crime but for a career.
“At that time, I was looking for a job. As anyone looking for a job would do, if there is a need for personnel around, you apply.
“That’s what I did. I started working as accounting staff when my brother needed personnel.”
Following the approximately 11-hour trial, the court sentenced the defendants Faruk Fatih Ozer, Guven Ozer, and Serap Ozer to a total of 11,190 years and 6 months in prison in total for “aggravated fraud,” “establishing, leading an organisation, and being a member of an organisation,” and “money laundering from the proceeds of the crime.”
In addition, for one of the victims, they were given separate sentences of 6 years, 4 months, and 15 days in prison, as well as a fine of TRY 135 million (GBP 4 million) for “committing fraud using information systems.”
Sixteen defendants were acquitted of aggravated fraud due to insufficient evidence.
The court ordered the release of four defendants while delivering its verdict.
Other defendants received varying prison sentences.
