Foreign suspect wanted over crypto fraud detained in Istanbul

A foreign national wanted with a red notice for alleged cryptocurrency fraud was detained in Istanbul on Oct. 14, 2026. (Screenshot via AA Video)

October 14, 2026 04:17 PM GMT+03:00

Richard James Schueller, a foreign national wanted internationally by Interpol with a red notice for alleged cryptocurrency fraud, was detained with his wife in Istanbul on Wednesday, authorities said.

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department’s Intelligence Branch and Financial Crimes Investigation Branch carried out the operation with support from Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization, or MIT, as part of efforts to catch internationally wanted suspects.

Security and intelligence units determined that Schueller, who was wanted at Finland’s request over alleged large-scale cryptocurrency fraud and was subject to an arrest warrant, was in Istanbul.

Police then placed his address in the Besiktas district under close surveillance.

After technical and physical surveillance, Schueller and his wife, identified by the initials A.K., were detained in an operation carried out in the morning.

A foreign national wanted with a red notice for alleged cryptocurrency fraud was detained in Istanbul on Oct. 14, 2026. (IHA Photo)