05.02.2026 13:54
Murat Karabulut, a 48-year-old resident of Arnavutköy, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office, claiming that he was defrauded of approximately 16 million TL by a former colleague under the pretense of "gold trading." In hopes of greater profits, Karabulut sold his wife's gold, his vehicle, and his house, stating that he fell under a heavy burden of debt, his pension was seized, and he and his family found themselves in a difficult situation.
A 48-year-old man living in the Arnavutköy district of Istanbul was allegedly defrauded of approximately 16 million TL by a friend under the pretense of "we will do gold business." The man, who stated that he lost his dreams, savings, and the years of effort his family put in, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office.
TO EARN MORE GOLD...
48-year-old Murat Karabulut, who lives in the Arnavutköy district, wanted to do business with his former colleague Mustafa İ., with whom he had previously worked. Believing in Mustafa İ.'s promise of profit from the gold trading business known as "bagging," Karabulut gradually handed over his wife's gold, his vehicle, and his savings to Mustafa İ. Realizing he had been defrauded of approximately 16 million TL, Karabulut filed a criminal complaint. Allegedly, he learned that Mustafa İ., whom he filed a complaint against, had nearly 30 cases related to similar crimes.
APPROACHED WITH A PARTNERSHIP PROMISE
Murat Karabulut explained that he worked with a person named Mustafa İ. in a restaurant years ago for about 3-4 years at the same workplace. After the business was transferred, he noted that Mustafa İ. opened a jewelry store in Bayrampaşa focused on silver, but closed the store after a while. He stated that Mustafa İ. later told him he was involved in buying and selling gold and foreign currency and that he could evaluate his savings.
DID NOT CONSIDER HIS WIFE'S WARNINGS
Karabulut said that he first got involved in the process by giving his gold, and then he delivered 14 bracelets belonging to his wife piece by piece to Mustafa İ. Despite his wife's repeated warnings, he expressed that he believed in the promised profits, saying, "We had 25 years of effort. I gave everything, including my wife's bracelets, my car, and our savings, to this business."
EVEN SOLD HIS HOUSE
According to allegations, the process did not stop there. Karabulut also sold the house he lived in with his family and handed over the money to Mustafa İ. under his guidance. Although it was said during the title deed transactions that the house was sold for 4.5 million TL, he claimed that the money deposited into his account was much lower and that the money directly passed into Mustafa İ.'s control.
FELL INTO A DEBT TRAP
Karabulut stated that he received the first signals that things were not going well during a meeting when Mustafa İ. said, "There was a problem in the Grand Bazaar, half of the money is gone." He then expressed that he was convinced to take out a loan and that credit cards were also used, stating that he currently has approximately 1.5 million TL in loan and credit card debt, that his pension was seized, and that he has not received a salary for three months.
"I AM IN POVERTY, THEY CONTINUE WITH THEIR LIVES"
After realizing he had been defrauded, Karabulut tried to reach the suspect and his family but noted that their phone numbers had been changed. Based on information he received from his surroundings, he claimed that Mustafa İ. enrolled his daughter in university, sent his son for paid military service, and started a new life. Describing his helplessness in tears, Karabulut called out, "I am currently renting, I cannot pay my rent. I have three children. I have come to the brink of suicide. I do not want other people to suffer like me." It was learned that an investigation was initiated regarding the incident following Karabulut's criminal complaint to the prosecutor's office. Karabulut is waiting for justice to be served and for his alleged grievances to be addressed.