What Happened?
Faruk Fatih Özer was a young man with a big idea. He started a crypto exchange called Thodex in Turkey. Crypto exchanges are like online markets where people buy and sell digital money, called cryptocurrency. Faruk’s company got really popular and a lot of people in Turkey started using it.
But then something went wrong. Faruk took all the money from the exchange and disappeared. People say it was the biggest scam in Turkey’s history. They couldn’t get their money back, and Faruk was nowhere to be found. This made a lot of people very angry and worried.
Faruk’s Escape
One day, Faruk went to the airport and flew to Albania. He took a thumb drive with him that had a lot of crypto on it. Some say it was worth $2 billion! In Albania, he tried to keep a low profile, but back in Turkey, the police were looking for him. They arrested 62 people who worked for Thodex and even his brother and sister.
The Hunt for Faruk
While Faruk was hiding, the story of his escape was all over the news. People were talking about it in cafes and even at the barber shop. Everyone wanted to know where he was and if they would get their money back.
Faruk was hiding for a long time, but finally, the police in Albania caught him. He was living in a fancy house and didn’t look like he was hiding at all. They sent him back to Turkey, where he had to go to court.
The Trial
In court, Faruk said he didn’t steal the money. He said he had problems with his business and was trying to fix them. He even tried to pay some people back. But the judge didn’t believe him. Faruk, his brother, and his sister all got a really long prison sentence.
What This Means for Crypto
This story was a big deal because it showed that crypto can be risky. In Turkey, a lot of people were using crypto because they didn’t trust their own money. But when Thodex went bust, it made people think twice.
Even though this happened, people in Turkey are still using crypto. They hope it can help them save money, even though there are risks. The government is trying to make new rules to keep people safe when they use crypto.
The End?
Faruk Fatih Özer’s story is a warning about the dangers of crypto. It’s important to be careful and not put all your money in one place. Even though crypto can be exciting, it’s also important to stay safe and understand the risks.
