08.02.2026 09:20
Rifat Özdemir from Kayseri, who is compared to the pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, expressed his sadness over the negative perceptions of people, saying, "I will give my hair a different style and try to distance myself from looking like that man. No one has cursed or insulted me, but they look at me with a harsh image. I can feel what they are saying from their looks. I am not Epstein. Bad people like that do not come from Kayseri."
Rıfat Özdemir, a 55-year-old man living in Kayseri, is in trouble due to his resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire who was found dead in prison while being prosecuted for sexual abuse of minors. Özdemir noted that he is disturbed by the negative perceptions people have of him.
"THEY STARTED TO LOOK AT ME WITH A HARSH IMAGE"
Özdemir said, "Citizens started to look at me with a harsh image at first. Initially, my niece compared me and said, 'Uncle, you look a lot like Jeffrey Epstein.' I didn't know who Epstein was. Later, I looked him up in the news and learned who he was from social media. I don't want to be compared to such a person. Don't compare me to those people. I am just an ordinary citizen who is working hard. There may be a resemblance. Mine is an unfortunate event. We resemble him.
"IT NEGATIVELY AFFECTED MY LIFE"
It negatively affected my life. When I walk down the street, people look at me with a harsh image. There is nothing verbal, but their gazes are disturbing. People say, 'He looks like Epstein' in a surprised tone. When they say this to me, it bothers me. Because he is not a pleasant man. Being compared to him is not a nice thing," he expressed.
"PLEASE DON'T COMPARE ME TO EPSTEIN"
Rıfat Özdemir, who said, "I ask my people. Please do not compare me to Epstein," stated, "From now on, I am considering making all possible changes to myself, and I will do it. I will change my hairstyle, and I will grow a beard. We will struggle a bit until this situation fades from the agenda. I don't like to grow a beard, but I am thinking about it. Until now, I have never grown a beard.
"I DON'T KNOW HOW I WILL CHANGE MY FACIAL EXPRESSION"
I will give my hair a different style and try to distance myself from resembling that man. I don't know how I will change my facial expression. My facial wrinkles completely resemble his. There hasn't been anyone who cursed or insulted me, but they look at me with a harsh image. I can feel what they are saying from their gazes. I am not Epstein. Such bad men do not come from Kayseri," he said.