13.01.2026 19:33
The claim that a jeweler who has been operating in Çanakkale for many years disappeared with gold and money collected from dozens of people under the pretext of promising profits and trust has caused a great stir in the city. While the father and son, who were detained and released, have not been heard from for days, the victims have turned to the prosecutor's office.
A jeweler and his son, who were alleged to have collected gold and money from many citizens with the promise of profit or for safekeeping in Çanakkale, disappeared after being detained and released. Victims reported the incident to the prosecutor's office, causing great unease in the city.
The incident occurred on December 31, 2025, at a jewelry store located on Çarşı Street, one of the busiest points in Çanakkale. The store owner H.T. (56) was accused of taking gold and money from approximately 30 people with the promise of profit or to be delivered later as is.
CITIZENS WHO COULDN'T GET THEIR GOLD AND MONEY RAN TO THE POLICE
Citizens who stated that they could not get their gold and money back reported the situation to the police. Upon the notification, police teams arrived at the jeweler's shop and detained H.T. and his son M.T. (30) on charges of "qualified fraud." The father and son were released by the court they were brought to at the courthouse on January 1.
THE SHOP HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR DAYS, FATHER AND SON ARE MISSING
It was learned that the jeweler's shop had not opened for about 7 days after their release, and H.T. and M.T. had disappeared. Following the developments, victims went to the prosecutor's office to file a complaint against the father and son.
The victims' lawyer Alper Yavuz Ajlan stated in a press release in front of the Çanakkale Courthouse that many people had delivered large sums of money, saying, "The promised gold has not been delivered, and the amounts have not been refunded. This situation has turned into a systematic victimization. A complaint has been filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by many victims," he said.
"NO EFFECTIVE MEASURES WERE TAKEN" CRITICISM
Ajlan, stating that the investigation is ongoing, said, "No arrest has been made against the suspects, and no seizure of any assets or precautionary measures have been taken. There is information that the suspects have changed cities. While there are many victims and high amounts that have not been refunded, the lack of protective measures creates concerns among victims about delayed justice. We will follow the process," he said.
"HE WAS A TRADER WE TRUSTED FOR YEARS"
One of the victims, İbrahim Akıllı, described his experience with the following words: "We had done business before. He had converted some of my money into gold, but I couldn't get it back. He doesn't answer the phone. He was an honest tradesman for years; we couldn't understand why he did this. I have also filed a complaint. We want him to return to his business and pay back people's money."