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The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued a detention order for Sertac Tasdelen, founder of the popular fortune-telling and astrology apps "Faladdin" and "Binnaz".
His assets, including bank accounts, vehicles, and company shares, have been frozen by court order.
Tasdelen is accused of establishing a digital system to provide paid services in fortune-telling, astrology, spiritualism, and related fields, allegedly earning significant illicit income. Authorities say these earnings were partially transferred abroad.
According to reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the Ministry of Trade's Advertising Board, and expert witnesses, the services offered through the apps may constitute unauthorized commercial activity that generated illegal revenue.
Faladdin, which has been downloaded over 25 million times globally, gained widespread popularity as an AI-powered fortune-telling app.
Tasdelen had previously stated in a 2021 interview that the platform expanded without receiving any external investment. He also emphasized the company’s ambition to grow into fields like artificial intelligence and health technology.
The investigation continues under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office.
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