Seçil Erzan case: Emre Belözoğlu’s testimony revealed: 'She guaranteed I would make money'

Müslim SARIYAR / 12punto.com.tr

In the multi-million dollar fraud case that has shaken Turkey, bank manager Seçil Erzan collected money from many famous athletes.

Arda Turan is at the top of the list of individuals Erzan defrauded of large sums. It appears that after Arda Turan, Erzan received the most money from Emre Belözoğlu.

Emre Belözoğlu, who testified as a complainant, recounted all the details of what happened to him.

'I MET HER THROUGH MY COUSIN'

Emre Belözoğlu, who testified on April 25, 2023, as one of the complainants in the investigation, stated that he met Seçil Erzan on March 17, 2023.

In his testimony, he explained how he got involved with Seçil Erzan and the fund incident with the following words:

"I met Seçil Erzan on March 17. Or rather, I learned that she was a Denizbank branch manager and was involved with an investment fund through my cousin Volkan Bahçekapılı. She called me on March 17. She said that there was a fund created by Hakan Ateş and Mehmet Aydoğdu at Denizbank and that it had a high yield. She stated that she only included her valued clients in the fund.

'I SENT THE MONEY WITH VOLKAN'

I said that I could participate in this fund for investment purposes and by trusting Hakan Ateş. On the same day, I sent 2 million 892 thousand dollars to my cousin Volkan, first 1 million 492 thousand dollars and then 1 million 400 thousand dollars. He personally delivered it to Seçil Erzan. Subsequently, on March 18, at Volkan's direction, my driver delivered another 400 thousand dollars in cash to Seçil Erzan for her to invest in the fund.”

'LET'S COMPLETE IT TO 5 MILLION'

Stating that Seçil Erzan called him again about 10 days later, Emre Belözoğlu said, "She deceived me by calling me on the phone and saying that if I completed my total money to 5 million dollars, I would have a higher return.

However, I said I could give 1 million dollars more. I managed to secure 1 million dollars more by borrowing from my friends and delivered the money to Volkan. Volkan then sent this money to our family friend Nur Erkasap to give to Seçil Erzan," he said.

'WE ASKED FOR DOCUMENTATION'

Belözoğlu, stating that he asked Erzan for documentation, said, “Initially, I did not have any documents regarding the money I gave to Seçil Erzan on March 17. I called Volkan and told him that Seçil Erzan should give us a receipt for the money we gave. When Volkan went to Seçil Erzan and asked for a document, she said she could have it ready the next day.

Afterwards, she prepared and gave a document stating that I had a receivable of 3 million 300 thousand dollars in the fund regarding the money I gave to Volkan Bahçekapılı. In fact, this document bears the Denizbank stamp as well as the wet signatures of both herself and a bank employee named Asiye Göktürk.

When I received this document, my mind was somewhat at ease. From the beginning, I was deceived by Seçil Erzan's words: "Hakan Ateş established this fund, Mehmet Aydoğdu is the person directly in charge of it. It has a very high return and in the end, making money is guaranteed."

'SHE HAS EMBEZZLED ALL MY SAVINGS'

In the continuation of his testimony, Belözoğlu said, “She deceived me using the names of Hakan Ateş and Mehmet Aydoğdu under the assurance of Denizbank. I have not been able to get back any of the money I have given so far.

Seçil Erzan told me that the money I deposited would mature on 03/05/2023 and that 3 million 892 thousand dollars would be returned to me at the end of the maturity. Regarding this, she delivered a document to Volkan Bahçekapılı that again bore the Denizbank A.Ş stamp and the wet signatures of both herself and Asiye Öztürk.

Seçil Erzan defrauded me and embezzled the money. I have been a football player for 23 years, and a coach for 2 years. I have been taking care of my family since I was 13. She has embezzled all my savings by deceiving me. I am filing a complaint against everyone responsible for all the transactions," he stated.

'I WAS NOT CLOSE'

Seçil Erzan, who is currently under arrest, gave a detailed answer to the question asked about Emre Belözoğlu.

Erzan explained the Emre Belözoğlu incident as follows:

"I know Volkan Bahçekapılı. He is Buse Terim's husband. I know him through him being Fatih Terim's son-in-law. I am not very close with him. One day I called Volkan Bahçekapılı on the phone. I asked, 'There is a fund with a high return for a very short time, please let this matter not be heard, Fatih Terim coach is also aware of the fund. Would you like to join too?'

Volkan Bahçekapılı also said to me, 'I know, Buse is also aware, actually.' One morning at 7 o'clock, Volkan Bahçekapılı sent me a message saying, "Is this fund still available, Emre Belözoğlu is waiting for news from you." Afterwards, I called Emre Belözoğlu.

I explained the subject very briefly. Both Volkan Bahçekapılı and Emre Belözoğlu found cash and delivered it to me at Volkan Bahçekapılı's office in Levent. In total, over 2 days, I received 1 million 400 thousand dollars first, then 1 million 492 thousand dollars, and finally 400 thousand dollars in cash during March 2023.

However, I have not made any payments to Volkan Bahçekapılı to date. Again, in the same way, I personally prepared, signed, and delivered the document on page 10 of the Denizbank Levent Büyükdere Street Branch preliminary investigation report dated 10/04/2023 and numbered 23ISG041, which was presented to me within the scope of the file by the Denizbank Board of Inspectors. Actually, they delivered the money I received from Volkan Bahçekapılı together with Emre Belözoğlu,"

TESTIMONY OF TERİM’S SON-IN-LAW

The testimony of Fatih Terim's son-in-law Volkan Bahçekapılı, who is alleged to have acted as an intermediary for Emre Belözoğlu, was taken on April 25, 2023.

Bahçekapılı testified as follows:

"Emre Belözoğlu is my aunt's son, that is, my own cousin. I have known Seçil Erzan for about 3 years. She is a Denizbank Branch Manager. Although I am not close with her, I knew and trusted her in this sense because she generally dealt with some people in my family regarding banking matters.

About 6-8 months ago, Seçil Erzan called me. Afterwards, she continued to call, and every time she called, she asked for money from me. She told me on the phone that there was a special fund belonging to the bank for 22 people, that Hakan Ateş and Mehmet Aydoğdu created this fund, and that it had a high return. She even stated that my wife Buse Terim and Fatih Terim also invested money in this fund."

'I CONSULTED BUSE'

Bahçekapılı continued his testimony with these words:

“Because Seçil Erzan had called me many times before, I had consulted my wife Buse about the matter, and she told me that she also had money in the fund. Since I did not have cash, I mentioned the fund to Emre Belözoğlu. I even told Seçil Erzan to get in touch with Emre Belözoğlu. Emre Belözoğlu and Seçil Erzan had a phone conversation between them. First, on March 17, 2023, Emre Belözoğlu gave me 1 million 492 thousand dollars in cash.

I personally delivered this money to Seçil Erzan in her office at the Denizbank Levent Branch. While I was giving the money, Seçil Erzan's door was open. Everyone working on that floor was in a position to hear what we were talking about. On the same day, 1 million 400 thousand dollars was sent again in cash by Emre Belözoğlu.

This time, Seçil Erzan came and personally received this money from my office in Levent. In total, I delivered 2 million 892 thousand dollars (money belonging to Emre Belözoğlu) to Seçil Erzan. As far as I heard from Emre Belözoğlu, on March 18, 400 thousand dollars was delivered in cash by Emre Belözoğlu's driver Alpaslan Akyüz right in front of the Denizbank General Directorate building.

As I recall, about 10 days later, Seçil Erzan called Emre Belözoğlu and said she wanted to complete the fund to 5 million dollars. However, Emre Belözoğlu said he did not have that much cash, but could give 1 million dollars more.

Upon this, Emre Belözoğlu collected 1 million dollars from his friends and sent it to me via EFT. Afterwards, I sent this money via EFT to a person named Nur Erkasap, who is a family friend.

Nur Abla then subsequently withdrew the 1 million dollars in cash and delivered it to Seçil Erzan in person.”