Turkish authorities arrested Interpol-wanted crypto fugitive Richard James Schueler, also known as Richard Heart, in an Istanbul operation on Wednesday. Schueler was detained with his wife, A.K., after teams from the Istanbul Police Department intelligence units and Anti-Financial Crimes Branch, supported by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), tracked him down at an address in Beşiktaş. Interpol had issued a Red Notice for Schueler over allegations of international crypto fraud, linked to cases involving Finland. The Red Notice was issued in 2024, and the wider allegations include tax fraud and assault. The case has also been tied to US regulators. In 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Schueler and three unincorporated entities he controls, Hex, PulseChain and PulseX, with conducting unregistered offerings of crypto asset securities that raised more than $1 billion in crypto assets from investors. The SEC also alleged fraud involving the misappropriation of at least $12 million of offering proceeds to buy luxury goods, including sports cars, watches, and a 555-carat black diamond called “The Enigma.” During the operation, authorities seized a dozen mobile phones, several laptops and graphic cards, rifles and pistols, two drones, gold bracelets, and a large amount of cash in different currencies. Schueler and A.K. were taken into custody, with an ongoing investigation following the arrests.