17.10.2026 16:01
There has been a new development in the investigation of Richard James Schueler, nicknamed 'Whale James,' who was sought by INTERPOL with a red notice on charges of cryptocurrency fraud and was caught in a MİT-supported operation in Beşiktaş. Nine luxury vehicles worth millions of lira, found to be registered in his wife's name, have been seized from Schueler, who was detained along with his wife A.K. during the operation.
The teams of the Istanbul Police Department's Intelligence Branch Directorate and Anti-Financial Crimes Branch Directorate added a new operation to those they have been conducting, with the support of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), targeting individuals wanted at the international level.
It was determined that Richard James Schueler, known as 'Whale James,' who was wanted by INTERPOL with a red notice on allegations of high-value cryptocurrency fraud, was at an address in Beşiktaş. In a simultaneous operation conducted at the identified address, Schueler and his wife A.K. were caught and taken into custody.
A FORTUNE AND AN ARSENAL WERE FOUND IN HIS HOME
During searches at the address as part of the operation, digital materials as well as weapons and jewelry that rivaled an arsenal were seized. The searches yielded 12 mobile phones, 8 computer towers, 6 laptops, 20 graphics cards, 14 SSDs, 7 flash drives, 3 memory cards, 3 handguns, 4 long-barreled rifles, 7 magazines, 1,360 rounds of ammunition, 1 knife, 2 drones, 24 wristwatches, 20 gold bracelets, 7 gold chain necklaces, along with $600,000, 2,600 euros, and 50,000 Turkish liras in cash.
MINISTER GÜRLEK: TURKEY WILL NOT BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, who made assessments regarding the operation, gave a message of determination in a statement on his social media account. Minister Gürlek stated that efforts are continuing without interruption, in coordination with security and intelligence units, to capture individuals wanted at the international level and prevent them from escaping justice.
LUXURY VEHICLES WORTH MILLIONS OF LIRAS SEIZED
As the investigation continued, security forces deepened their examinations of the suspect's assets. As a result of the efforts, 9 luxury vehicles that were not determined to be registered in the name of Richard James Schueler's wife A.K. were seized. The vehicles, worth millions of dollars, were towed to a police impound lot and taken under protection by police teams.
HERE ARE THOSE VEHICLES: