Gold Tycoon Ahmet Ahlatçı Faces Money Laundering Probe, Travel Ban Imposed

Ankara prosecutors have reportedly launched a criminal investigation into prominent businessman Ahmet Ahlatçı, the owner of Ahlatçı Holding, one of Turkey’s largest gold refining groups. According to reports circulating in financial circles, the probe includes allegations of money laundering and smuggling, and a travel ban has been imposed as a precautionary measure.

The development has drawn significant attention across Turkey’s finance and precious metals sector, given Ahlatçı Holding’s strategic role in gold processing, refining, and exports. Authorities are continuing their examination as the legal process unfolds.

Ahlatçı Holding operates one of the country’s most prominent gold refineries in Çorum, contributing substantially to Turkey’s gold trade and export capacity. The company is widely regarded as a major player in the domestic precious metals market.

Ahlatçı: “There Is a Mistake”

Journalist İsmail Saymaz shared details of the investigation via social media, including comments from Ahmet Ahlatçı following a direct conversation. According to the account, Ahlatçı stated that he had only recently learned about the judicial process and firmly denied the accusations.

Responding to claims of money laundering and smuggling, Ahlatçı said:

“I just learned about it as well. We would never engage in money laundering. I am the person who invoiced the informal currency trading in the Grand Bazaar. There is a mistake. I am sure this decision will be lifted as soon as possible.”

By referencing his efforts to formalize transactions in Istanbul’s historic Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), Ahlatçı emphasized his support for transparency and the formal economy. He described the allegations as unfounded and expressed confidence that the travel restriction would soon be removed.

Official Statement From Ahlatçı Holding

On February 11, 2026, Ahlatçı Holding issued a formal press release rejecting the allegations circulating on social media. The company stated that the claims are unrelated to either the institution or its chairman.

The statement underscored that all operations are conducted in full compliance with Turkish law, international trade regulations, and sectoral standards. The company highlighted Ahmet Ahlatçı’s long-standing role in integrating previously informal market transactions into the formal financial system.

“Perhaps the most important fact that must be known is this: Mr. Ahmet Ahlatçı, Chairman of the Board of Ahlatçı Holding, is the person who brought the informal economy within the Grand Bazaar market into the formal system through invoicing,” the company said.

The holding also emphasized its commitment to transparency and ethical business practices, adding that it reserves its legal rights against speculative or misleading content.

Strategic Position in Turkey’s Gold Industry

Founded in Çorum, Ahlatçı Holding has become one of Turkey’s most influential groups in the gold refining and precious metals industry. The company’s refinery, established in 2012 in the Çorum Organized Industrial Zone, is the group’s flagship operation.

Over time, the holding expanded beyond gold into energy, finance, tourism, and real estate, diversifying its business portfolio. However, its gold refinery remains central to its reputation and economic footprint.

Given Turkey’s significant role in global gold trade — both as a consumer market and as a refining hub — developments involving one of its largest refining companies naturally carry broader market implications.

Ranked Among Turkey’s Wealthiest

Ahmet Ahlatçı is ranked 78th on the “Top 100 Richest Turks” list, with an estimated fortune of $600 million. His business career began modestly, starting with a small jewelry shop in Çorum in 1984, before expanding into large-scale gold trading and refining.

His entrepreneurial trajectory is often cited as an example of how regional business growth can evolve into national prominence. The company’s high-profile social presence was also noted last year, when his son, Ahmet Emin Ahlatçı, hosted a widely attended wedding ceremony in Çorum that drew prominent public figures.

Ongoing Legal Process

As of now, official authorities have not publicly detailed the full scope of the investigation beyond confirming procedural steps. The travel ban is a precautionary legal measure while the inquiry continues.

In Turkish legal practice, such restrictions may be applied during investigations into financial crimes, particularly in cases involving alleged money laundering or smuggling, to facilitate judicial cooperation and prevent flight risk.

The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain. For now, Ahlatçı and his company categorically deny wrongdoing, while financial and business communities closely monitor further developments.

The case highlights the sensitivity surrounding regulatory compliance in Turkey’s gold and precious metals market, where transparency, documentation, and international oversight standards play a critical role.