Aşkım Kapışmak released... Behind the scenes of the crypto heist: Operation carried out three years later
127 people, including Aşkım Kapışmak, were detained in an Ankara-based crypto fraud operation. It was learned that the network, which carried out a $1 billion heist, established its company headquarters in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island nation in the Caribbean, and that the cryptocurrency called 'smart trade coin' was launched in January 2021 and collapsed about 5 months later. Meanwhile, Aşkım Kapışmak, who was detained as part of the investigation, announced that he has been released. In a post on his social media account, Kapışmak denied the accusations directed at him.
12punto
Ersin Eroğlu /12punto.com.tr
127 people, including Aşkım Kapışmak, were detained as part of an operation against a network determined to have carried out a $1 billion heist with promises of high returns across 21 provinces, centered in Ankara.
It emerged that the company, which entered the market in January 2021 with a cryptocurrency called 'smart trade coin', collapsed about 5 months later. It was learned that the company had established its headquarters in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island nation in the Caribbean.
(Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
HOW DID THE SYSTEM WORK?
In the 'smart trade coin' system, the purchased cryptocurrencies increased by approximately 30 percent daily. Those who saw the increase invested more money through the system. Afterwards, they multiplied their earnings by involving their relatives in the system. It was alleged that bots were operated in the system and that money was multiplied by making correct investments.
The Ponzi scheme also came into play here. Investors were brought into the system by making it appear as if there was a production generating high profits. Payments to the first investors were made with the money of those who joined the system later. Numerous promotional videos were published via social media accounts.
WHY WAS AŞKIM KAPIŞMAK DETAINED?
In the system, 'leaders' and 'trainers' gave investment advice by making presentations via Zoom meetings. It was stated that Aşkım Kapışmak held meetings under the name of 'Education and Information Camp' and gave certificates to the participants. In this context, it was noted that an investigation was being conducted into the author Kapışmak on allegations of 'recruiting people to the structure'. Crypto victims hold Çiğdem Karaca Çiçek, who is at the head of the names in the team, responsible on their social media accounts.
THEY HAD A RETRACTION PUBLISHED BY KANAL D
The first news report regarding the crypto fraud operation, specifically about Çiğdem Karaca Çiçek, for whom there was a detention warrant, was made by Kanal D on June 14, 2022. However, the 'Smart trade coin' team, including Çiçek, had the news retracted. The operation came two years after the news report.
WHAT DID AŞKIM KAPIŞMAK SAY?
Aşkım Kapışmak made a written statement on his social media account regarding the matter and used the following expressions:
"Dear public, first of all, I would like to thank all my friends who supported me by contacting my family and lawyer, and my valuable readers who sent messages. I would also like to state that I am extremely saddened to be on the agenda of the public with this detention issue, which will be clearly understood that I am not associated with any crime when I share the details. All my followers and friends know that I earn my living from the books I write and by taking the stage in motivational speeches organized by companies for their own employees."