Investigation into cult leader Yeliz Ergün: Allegations of fraud, incitement to suicide, and sexual abuse

Yeliz Ergün, who identifies herself as the "leader of the Sophia Cult," has recently caused a stir on social media and drawn reactions from famous figures. Yeliz Ergün provides guidance in the fields of spiritual transformation and personal development. It is stated that Ergün, who focuses particularly on subconscious studies, shadow identity analysis, and emotional balance, guides her followers through both individual and group training sessions.

Yeliz Ergün, who describes herself as the "leader of the Sophia Cult, which emerged from a Mind Control Cult," has been reported to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on various charges. The accusations against Ergün include fraud, incitement to suicide, and sexual abuse. Victim attorney Melih Demirer stated that the number of complaints is increasing rapidly, noting that children, in particular, are finding it difficult to share what they have experienced.

Through videos published on social media platforms, Ergün made promises such as "How to get rich?" specifically targeting young people under the age of 18. In the training sessions she provided, she argued that becoming an individual is only possible by severing family ties. As a result, it is among the allegations that many young people left their homes, and some victims were even driven to suicide.

A 16-year-old victim, Z.K., told the prosecutor's office that after the training she received from Yeliz Ergün, she severed ties with her family and stayed in a dormitory, and subsequently attempted suicide. Z.K. stated that she struggled with feelings of guilt and inadequacy due to Ergün's manipulations. It is alleged that Ergün targeted mothers in her training sessions, making statements such as "Your mother is your greatest enemy."

The victim Z.K., who also submitted the training videos she purchased from Yeliz Ergün to the prosecutor's office, described her experiences as follows:

“I decided to leave home to cut ties with my family because Yeliz Ergün said so, and since I was a minor, I reported myself to the CİMER and EGM websites. I spoke with the police; I already had family problems. Yeliz used these, taking my money under the guise of training and crushing my hopes. She ruined my life. I told the police I wanted to go to a dormitory, and they took me to a place called ÇÖDEM. Children who want to go to a dormitory stay there for a certain period, and if their decisions are finalized, places are arranged in dormitories and they are placed in Child Protection Agency institutions. Just because of Yeliz, I had bad experiences at the Child Protection Agency. I gave a petition to the prosecutor's office saying I wanted to return to my family, and I left after 24 days. After I got out, I fell into depression and attempted suicide. My stomach was pumped, and activated charcoal was given. Because of this, a health protection order was issued by the prosecutor's office. She said, 'Do not meet with your mother,' and since I was a minor, I couldn't move into a separate house, so I was forced to continue meeting her. She said, 'If you meet with your mother, this training will not contribute to you.' That's why I went to the dormitory. Later, because I couldn't fulfill Yeliz's teachings enough to avoid meeting my family, I felt guilty and inadequate, and I attempted suicide.”

Furthermore, it was claimed that Yeliz Ergün included content "encouraging drug use" in her videos, and a separate criminal complaint was filed with the prosecutor's office for this reason. Ergün had previously stated that she was influenced by a Masonic cult and founded the Sophia Cult based on those experiences.