Turkey's Justice Minister confirms HEX founder Richard Heart was arrested in Istanbul on suspicion of a $1 billion crypto scam.

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that HEX founder Richard Heart (real name Richard James Schueler), who is suspected of a $1 billion cryptocurrency fraud across the United States and Finland and has been issued an Interpol Red Notice, was reportedly arrested on October 14 in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. His wife and three individuals identified as bodyguards were also detained. Akın Gürlek has served as the Turkish Justice Minister since February 2026.