- Thodex CEO extradited to Turkey
- Fraud and money laundering charges
- Crypto's riskiest investment exposed
In a dramatic turn of events, Faruk Fatih Ozer, the former CEO of the now-defunct Thodex cryptocurrency exchange, has been extradited from Albania to Turkey. Ozer, 29, was detained immediately upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, as reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency.
Thodex ceased operations nearly two years ago, leaving innumerable customers with significant losses. After the platform's collapse, Ozer vanished, only to be apprehended in Albania in August 2022 following an Interpol red notice issued by Turkey.
Albania's supreme court ruled in favor of Ozer's extradition earlier this month, marking the end of his legal battle to avoid deportation. The high-school dropout now stands accused of money laundering, aggravated fraud, and managing a criminal organization.
The exact extent of investor losses in the wake of Thodex's downfall remains uncertain. While the prosecutor's initial indictment estimated losses at approximately $24 million, Turkish media outlets have reported figures as high as $2 billion. According to Bloomberg, Chainalysis assessed the value of the lost cryptocurrency at $2.6 billion, labeling it the most significant "rug pull" of 2021.
The Thodex scandal highlights the potential risks and dangers associated with cryptocurrency investments. As the crypto market continues to expand, investors must remain vigilant in assessing the legitimacy and security of various exchanges and platforms to protect their investments.
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