06.02.2026 14:36
Yunus Okan, a social media celebrity who shared images of his experiences hitchhiking around Turkey and was accused of defrauding women by claiming "My fiancée died in the February 6 earthquakes," was sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison and a judicial fine of 208,320 TL for the crime of 'fraud by using information systems, banks, or credit institutions as tools' in the trial he was involved in.
Yunus Okan, a social media celebrity known by the nickname 'Yunus Seyyah', who shared moments of hitchhiking around Turkey, was detained in 2023 on the allegation of defrauding H.B. in Tokat for 248,900 lira. Okan was released after his statement.
TRIED WITHOUT ARREST
After the investigation, a case was filed against Yunus Okan at the Tokat 3rd High Criminal Court for the crime of 'fraud by using information systems of banks or credit institutions as a tool'. Yunus Okan, who was tried without arrest, appeared before the judge at the decision hearing on January 29.
"INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS A RELIGION CULTURE TEACHER AND GAINED TRUST"
In his statement, H.B., who filed a complaint claiming he was defrauded by Yunus Okan for 248,000 lira, said, "I was following the person on Instagram. He contacted me saying he was studying in Tokat. He introduced himself as a religion culture teacher and presented his father as an imam. He also said he lost his fiancée in the earthquake. In this way, he gained my trust. During our conversations, he told me that a bank had given him a bonus. When I asked what the bonus was, he said that if I deposited money in the bank, I would earn profits. He also offered me to help me earn profits. When I said I didn't have money, he told me to take out a loan. I took a loan of 250,000 lira and sent 248,900 lira to him. He told me he would return the money the next day, but he did not return it," he said.
OTHER VICTIMS WERE ALSO HEARD AS WITNESSES
Z.Y. and Ç.B., who were defrauded in a similar way as H.B., were also heard as witnesses in court. Z.Y. stated, "I was also victimized by Yunus Okan. On March 21, there was a money transaction with me using the same method. H.B. reached out to me via social media. Yunus Okan sent a fake receipt to H.B. claiming that I owed him money. H.B. searched my name on Instagram and messaged me. He asked if I knew Yunus Okan. I told him that he had also victimized me using the same method. Almost a year has passed since then. Our cases are still ongoing. He defrauded me using the same method," he said.
Ç.B. said, "I know the defendant because of this incident. The defendant was a traveling phenomenon who introduced himself on social media. I also started following him through his Instagram account. Later, he sent me a message to get to know me. He said he was a victim, that he lost his fiancée due to the earthquake. At that time, I was going to buy a phone for myself. He told me that if I sent him money, he would help me and return it multiplied. Trusting him, I sent him a total of 210,000 lira in parts over about a year. After I learned that I had been defrauded, I filed a complaint," he said.
2 YEARS 1 MONTH IN PRISON, 208,000 LIRA FINE
In his defense, Yunus Okan stated, "I know H.B. from Instagram. I contacted him through my Instagram account named 'yunusseyyah'. During the time we were in contact, I had debts. I told him that I would invest and multiply the money to pay off these debts. However, I did not specify how the investment would be made. He accepted this offer. After my offer, he sent me 248,900 lira. I gambled the money he sent to me to multiply it. However, I lost the money I received from him as a result of the bets I placed," he said.
After the witnesses' statements, the court panel determined that it was established that Yunus Okan committed the crime charged against him, and considering the manner of the crime, the place where it was committed, the characteristics of its commission, and the damage caused, it decided to sentence Yunus Okan to 2 years and 1 month in prison and a judicial fine of 208,320 TL.