Turkey detains 4 in fund crisis probe, freezes assets of 51

September 19, 2026 at 06:00 AM2 min

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Turkish authorities detained four people and imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 51 in an investigation into a fund crisis involving İnfo Yatırım, Hedef Holding, Tera Holding and Destek Yatırım. Access to 246 social media accounts was blocked over speculative posts that could cause investor panic, and 16 people were arrested in that probe. The investigation has drawn attention to board members with links to President Erdoğan's adviser and a deputy minister's wife.

Key Facts

Namık Kemal Gökalp, İbrahim Bekci and Altunç Kumova were detained, while Pusula Portföy chairman Muhammed Yarız was among four people arrested.
51 people were banned from leaving Turkey and their assets were frozen.
Access to 246 social media accounts was blocked for speculative posts that could cause investor fear and panic.
16 people were arrested in the social media investigation, and an indictment was prepared for 41 suspects in a separate probe into unusual trading volumes and share movements.
Tera Group chairman Emre Tezmen was banned from leaving Turkey on 17 September and announced his resignation from Pusula the following day.

Detentions and Arrests

İnfo Yatırım and Hedef Holding chairman Namık Kemal Gökalp, Tera Holding deputy general manager İbrahim Bekci and Destek Yatırım/Destek Holding executive Altunç Kumova were taken into custody. Pusula Portföy chairman Muhammed Yarız was among four people arrested. Justice Minister Akın Gürler said legal action continues against individuals and structures that target citizens' savings and gain unfair profits through misleading guidance using 'ponzi-like methods'.

Social Media and Market Manipulation

Access to 246 social media accounts was blocked over speculative posts that could cause fear and panic among investors. 16 people were arrested in connection with those posts. An indictment was prepared for 41 suspects in a separate investigation into unusual trading volumes and share movements this year.

Prominent Board Connections

Bulls Yatırım Holding partners include Neslihan Mumcu, wife of Batuhan Mumcu, who was removed as Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism in August 2026 and appointed to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority. Tera's recent managers include President Erdoğan's chief adviser Fecir Alptekin, who was appointed an independent board member of Tera Yatırım Menkul Değerler in November 2025 and later left the board. Tera Portföy and Tera group's management includes Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin, rector of Istanbul Topkapı University, and his brother Prof. Dr. Kerem Alkin, Turkey's former permanent representative to the OECD and ambassador from 2021 to 2024. Tera Group chairman Emre Tezmen was banned from leaving Turkey on 17 September and announced his resignation from Pusula the following day.