Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed on Oct. 17 that Richard James Schueler, known as Richard Heart, was detained in Istanbul following an operation coordinated by prosecutors, police and Turkey's intelligence agency. The Justice Ministry said searches linked to the operation resulted in the seizure of $7.15 million in cash, six cold wallets, firearms and other property.
Turkey confirms Istanbul detention of Richard Heart
The Türkiye Ministry of Justice said Richard Heart—Richard James Schueler—was detained in Istanbul in an operation involving prosecutors, police and Turkey’s intelligence agency.
The statement offered no further details on the detention or court date; judicial proceedings remain under way.
Searches at 15 addresses yield cash, cold wallets and firearms
$7.15 million in cash and 160,000 Turkish lira were among the items seized in searches at 15 addresses, authorities said. The reported haul also included six cold wallets, seven firearms and 1,400 rounds of ammunition.
The ministry said luxury goods and electronic devices were also taken during the searches.
It did not describe the contents of the cold wallets or attribute ownership of individual seized items beyond its account of the operation.
Interpol notice and continuing judicial proceedings
The Block reported that the detention followed an Interpol Red Notice issued at Finland's request. The report said Turkish authorities linked the matter to alleged crypto fraud in the United States and Finland.
The Justice Ministry said Heart's wife and three people described as his bodyguards were also detained. Authorities are continuing their examination of the material seized in the operation as the judicial process proceeds.
