Hex and PulseChain founder Richard Heart reportedly detained in Turkey on Interpol Red Notice
Turkish authorities have reportedly detained Hex and PulseChain founder Richard Heart in Istanbul under an Interpol Red Notice requested by Finland, sparking steep declines across his ecosystem tokens.
Richard James Schueler, widely known in the cryptocurrency sector as Richard Heart, was detained by Turkish police and the national intelligence agency MİT during a dawn raid in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district, according to Turkish media reports including coverage from Ihlas News Agency and Haberler. The operation was coordinated alongside Interpol and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes Division. Turkish outlets reported that Schueler and his wife were taken into custody for questioning.[1][3][7][10][11][15]
Heart was sought under an Interpol Red Notice issued at Finland's request dating back to December 2024, involving allegations of aggravated tax fraud and assault. Turkish media accounts differed regarding the exact property seized during the raid: some outlets cited $4 million in cash and 64 luxury watches, while Euronews and local reports listed $600,000 in cash, alongside European currencies, gold jewelry, multiple firearms, 1,360 rounds of ammunition, and dozens of digital storage and computing devices.[1][4][6][7][9][15]
The reported detention prompted immediate market volatility across assets connected to Heart. PulseChain native token PLS plunged between 30% and 50% within hours of the reports circulating, while HEX experienced similar double-digit losses. The Block noted that Istanbul police and Interpol had not yet formally responded to requests for confirmation regarding the detention.[1][2][5][10][12][14]
Key facts
- Turkish media reported that Hex and PulseChain founder Richard Heart (Richard James Schueler) was detained in a dawn raid in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district.
- The detention was carried out under an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Finland over allegations including aggravated tax fraud and assault.
- Reports of seized cash varied, with some Turkish outlets reporting $4 million and others reporting $600,000 alongside gold, luxury watches, firearms, ammunition, and digital hardware.
- PulseChain (PLS) and HEX tokens fell between 30% and 50% following circulation of the arrest reports.
- A previous 2023 civil enforcement action against Heart by the U.S. SEC was dismissed in 2025 due to lack of jurisdiction.
Sources · 14 sources
- TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
THE BLOCK: Hex and PulseChain founder Richard Heart was detained in Istanbul, according to Turkish media reports. Finnish authorities have been seeking Heart, whose real last name is Schueler, under an Interpol Red Notice that lists charges of aggravated tax fraud. Istanbul police and Interpol have not yet responded to The Block's requests for confirmation.
Open source - MA
Mati Allin@MatiAllinPost on X ·
Do you think this is a real video of Richard Heart getting arrested in Istanbul? @piteasio and Crypto Seven are reporting Turkish media is spreading the news. Hex is down over 50% so far today. I hope it’s fake news. https://t.co/yyj7wF2AQZ
Open source - CB
Crypto Banter@crypto_banterPost on X ·
🚨RICHARD HEART ARRESTED IN ISTANBUL TODAY! Hex and PulseChain founder Richard James Schueler, known as Richard Heart, was detained this morning in a Beşiktaş raid by Turkish intelligence and police. He was wanted by Interpol on a red notice. Authorities seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, luxury watches, firearms, and computers linked to crypto activity. He faces allegations of large-scale crypto fraud involving the U.S., Finland, and Spain. Video via @CagdasEvren.
Open source - MO
Mikko Ohtamaa@moo9000Post on X ·
They got Mr Richard Heart, my favourite Finnish friend. Richard, the legendary OG founder of ethereum:0x2b591e99afe9f32eaa6214f7b7629768c40eeb39 token and PulseChain, is a man of action and likes to hang heavy stuff around his neck. HEX was one of the reason the Uniswap v2 originally got off the ground because no legit exchange was willing to list the token. 12 cell phones, 8 computer safes, 6 laptops, 20 video cards, 14 SSDs, 7 flash memory and 3 memory cards were recovered in the searches made at the relevant address. In addition, 3 pistols, 4 long-barrel rifles, 7 magazines, one thousand 360 cartridges and 1 wedge were found. In the operation, 2 drones, 24 hours, 20 gold bracelets, 7 gold chain necklaces, 600,000 dollars, 2 thousand 600 euros and 50 thousand pounds were also seized. The investigation is underway. https://t.co/r2zVP6bDPz
Open source - CB
Crypto Banter@crypto_banterPost on X ·
🚨PULSECHAIN DUMPS OVER 30% AFTER RICHARD HEART ARREST! $PLS fell more than 30% on the day as news of the Istanbul detention spread through the market. The sharp sell-off hit the PulseChain ecosystem tokens tied to the founder who was taken into custody this morning.
Open source - BN
Bitcoin News@BitcoinNewsComPost on X ·
HEX FOUNDER RICHARD HEART ARRESTED IN ISTANBUL, $600,000 CASH AND ARSENAL SEIZED Turkish authorities have reportedly arrested Richard Heart, whose real name is Richard James Schueler, in a joint intelligence and police operation in Istanbul. Heart, founder of HEX, PulseChain and PulseX, was wanted under an Interpol Red Notice issued at Finland’s request. Police reportedly detained Heart and his wife at a residence in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district following extensive surveillance. Authorities seized: • $600,000 in cash • 24 wristwatches • 20 gold bracelets and 7 gold necklaces • 7 firearms and 1,360 rounds of ammunition • 12 mobile phones and 6 laptops • 20 graphics cards and 14 SSDs • 2 drones In 2023, the SEC charged Heart with raising over $1 billion through unregistered crypto offerings and allegedly misappropriating at least $12 million in investor funds to purchase luxury goods, including sports cars, expensive watches and a 555-carat black diamond. Heart was subsequently placed on Interpol’s wanted list in 2024 over separate allegations involving tax fraud and assault. Both Heart and his wife have been taken into custody for questioning as the investigation continues. https://t.co/TQjnODxSg8
Open source - PR
ProtosArticle ·
Richard Heart arrested in Turkey almost 2 years after Interpol red notice Richard Heart, the Hex founder wanted by Finland under an Interpol Red Notice, was reportedly arrested by police in Istanbul on Wednesday. That’s according to Turkish news outlet Haberler , which reports that during the morning raid, police seized $4 million in cash, 64 luxury watches, guns, computers, crypto mining equipment, and other electronic devices from Heart, real name Richard James Schueler. Euronews reports that three handguns, four rifles, seven magazines, 1,360 rounds of ammunition, and a dagger were also seized. An Interpol Red Notice on behalf of Finland was posted in December 2024. Read more: Finland wants to detain Richard Heart, alleges millions in unpaid taxes Istanbul’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and local Beşiktaş police conducted the raid, which was coordinated by Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Financial Crimes Divison, Interpol, and MİT. Haberler reports that the investigation looked into Schueler’s alleged Istanbul-based international fraud network that also held offices across the US, Finland, and Spain. US doesn’t want Richard Heart arrested — but Finland does In 2023, the SEC accused Heart of selling over $1 billion in unregistered securities, and misappropriating millions of dollars from his Hex, PulseChain, and PulseX crypto projects. He allegedly misused $12 million to purchase sports cars, watches, and a 555-carat black diamond known as “The Enigma.” Two years later, the lawsuit was dropped after the SEC failed to establish legal jurisdiction. He’s also no longer listed on Europol’s most wanted list, likely due to today’s reported arrest. “BALİNA JAMES” İŞTE BÖYLE GÖZALTINA ALINDI. Interpol tarafından kırmızı bültenle aranan, “Balina James” lakaplı Richard James SCHUELER, İstanbul Beşiktaş’ta düzenlenen operasyonla eşiyle birlikte yakalandı. MİT destekli operasyonda 600 bin dolar, 24 saat, 20 altın… pic.twitter.com/o3vHAyKowc — Çağdaş Evren Şenlik (@CagdasEvren) October 14, 2026 Read more: Richard Heart tells court full of US investors that HEX wasn’t aimed at them An Interpol Red Notice on behalf of Finland was posted in December 2024 for alleged aggravated tax fraud involving hundreds of millions of euros in unpaid tax. He also allegedly assaulted a minor in 2021. Heart’s alleged new abode in Istanbul was a luxurious address, potentially paid for using funds linked to suspected crypto mixer transactions through which Heart attempted to obfuscate $500 million worth of crypto. Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks . For more informed news and investigations, follow us on X , Bluesky , and Google News , or subscribe to our YouTube channel. The post Richard Heart arrested in Turkey almost 2 years after Interpol red notice appeared first on Protos .
Open source - CO
CoinDesk@CoinDeskPost on X ·
JUST IN: Richard Heart, founder of $HEX and PulseChain, is arrested by Turkish authorities in Istanbul following an Interpol Red Notice, and faces charges of international crypto fraud, tax fraud and assault, per local media reports. https://t.co/lU5aPEWEKp
Open source - RO
RobynHD@RobynHDPost on X ·
🚨 Richard Heart soll in Istanbul festgenommen worden sein. Laut türkischen Medien wurde der Gründer von HEX und PulseChain bei einer frühmorgendlichen Razzia aufgegriffen. Dabei sollen 64 Luxusuhren, Bargeld und Waffen beschlagnahmt worden sein. Die Angaben zur Bargeldsumme widersprechen sich allerdings. Hintergrund ist eine seit Dezember 2024 bestehende Interpol Red Notice auf Antrag Finnlands. Dort wird gegen Heart wegen mutmaßlicher schwerer Steuerhinterziehung und Körperverletzung ermittelt. Die 2025 abgewiesene SEC-Klage in den USA ist ein separates Verfahren. Sie bedeutet nicht, dass auch die Vorwürfe aus Finnland erledigt sind.
Open source - CB
Coin Bureau@coinbureauPost on X ·
🚨BREAKING: HEX and PulseChain founder Richard Heart has reportedly been ARRESTED in Istanbul, Turkey, with an Interpol Red Notice. The, intelligence agency MİT and police detained Heart and his wife during a dawn raid in Beşiktaş, per Turkish media. Ihlas News Agency (IHA) reports that authorities seized large amounts of cash, digital devices, jewelry and firearms. Heart previously faced SEC allegations involving over $1 BILLION in unregistered crypto offerings and the alleged misuse of $12 MILLION in investor funds. PulseChain's $PLS has fallen over 30% amid reports of the arrest.
Open source - BR
Brandon@BrandonR2RPost on X ·
Turkish news agency IHA reported at 6:15 AM ET that police and Turkey's intelligence agency detained "Richard James Schueller" and his wife in a dawn raid in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district. The report says he was wanted under an Interpol red notice from Finland over crypto fraud.
Open source - AC
Alaoui Capital@AlaouicapitalPost on X ·
OVER 30% WIPED OFF $PLS IN A DAY. The trigger? News that Richard Heart was detained in Istanbul. PulseChain-related tokens are facing selling pressure as uncertainty spreads. The big question now is whether this turns into a short-term panic or something more serious for the ecosystem.
Open source - TW
The Wolf Of All Streets@scottmelkerPost on X ·
BREAKING: TURKISH MIT AND POLICE ARREST HEX $HEX, PULSECHAIN $PLS AND PULSEX $PLSX FOUNDER RICHARD HEART IN ISTANBUL ON FINLAND INTERPOL RED NOTICE FOR AGGRAVATED TAX FRAUD https://t.co/TLW2uDLck7
Open source - Y❤
yourfriendSOMMI ❤️💛💚💙@yourfriendSOMMIPost on X ·
❤️💛💚💙 PulseChain just dumped -50% in minutes on news that Richard Heart was arrested in Turkey. Anyone scoopin this dip or do we come back in 2036? BitcoinHex channel sends message: “Funds are safu” https://t.co/nbCBj24jLr
Open source - CP
Crypto Patel@CryptoPatelPost on X ·
BREAKING: HEX FOUNDER RICHARD HEART REPORTEDLY ARRESTED IN ISTANBUL | $600K CASH & ARSENAL SEIZED Crypto is facing another major legal headline. Richard James Schueler, known as Richard Heart, founder of $HEX, PulseChain ($PLS) and PulseX ($PLSX), was reportedly detained alongside his wife during a police operation in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district on October 14, 2026. KEY DETAILS: ▪️ Reportedly wanted under an Interpol Red Notice requested by Finland. ▪️ $600,000 in cash, 24 luxury watches, gold jewellery and €2,600 reportedly seized. ▪️ Authorities also reportedly recovered 7 firearms, 1,360 rounds of ammunition, 12 mobile phones, 6 laptops, 20 graphics cards, 14 SSDs and 2 drones. THE LEGAL BACKGROUND: In 2023, the U.S. SEC accused Heart of raising over $1 billion through unregistered crypto offerings and allegedly misappropriating at least $12 million for luxury purchases. Important: The separate SEC lawsuit was dismissed in 2025. The Finnish allegations are a separate matter, and allegations do not establish guilt. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT FOR HEX, PULSECHAIN & PULSEX? The investigation and any potential extradition proceedings could become important developments for the projects’ communities. However, the legal news alone does not determine token-price direction. Follow verified updates. Avoid making trading decisions based on headlines alone. Source: DHA and TRT Haber / Anadolu Agency; SEC records. @RichardHeartWin
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