News Editor Ajda Ender /Harrisons
A jailed social-media bride whose lavish wedding triggered a money-laundering investigation has admitted much of the apparent fortune showered on the couple was invented for show as experts found most of the jewellery seized afterwards was not even gold.
Picture shows influencer Cagla Oz showered with gold at wedding in Van, Turkey, undated. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
The findings emerged in Van, eastern Turkey, on 15th September, after influencer Cagla Oz Tancalan and her businessman husband Mehmet Fatih Tancalan were remanded in custody during an investigation into suspected laundering of criminal assets.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses with husband in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Their wedding on 6th September had caused a sensation after Cagla was filmed covered in bracelets, necklaces, chains and other jewellery.
Picture shows influencer Cagla Oz showered with gold at wedding in Van, Turkey, undated. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
An announcement during the celebration claimed the couple had received about TRY 43 million (GBP 656,400) in gifts, jewellery and bank transfers.
Picture shows influencer Cagla Oz showered with gold at wedding in Van, Turkey, undated. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
But Cagla has now told prosecutors she believed many of the names read out during the announcement were fictitious and that money which had never been given was being announced to make her husband appear wealthy.
Picture shows influencer Cagla Oz showered with gold at wedding in Van, Turkey, undated. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
She said: “The aim was to make it sound as though he had received a lot of money. He was showing off to people.”
Picture shows influencer Cagla Oz showered with gold at wedding in Van, Turkey, undated. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
The apparent gold haul has also now been examined by an expert after jewellery was recovered from a suitcase hidden in a woodshed during the investigation.
Video shows the influencer bride being covered in gold on a wedding in Istanbul, Turkey, undated. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Of 97 pieces examined, 76 were found not to be gold, while two more were silver or silver-coloured.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
The non-gold pieces included 21 twisted bracelets, 37 patterned bracelets, bars, a two-metre chain, a belt and a necklace.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses with husband in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Cagla had already told prosecutors that she learned from news reports that some of the bracelets were imitation.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses with husband in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Her statement does not record any reaction to the subsequent expert findings about the full haul.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Mehmet had previously claimed the jewellery displayed at the wedding was rented and returned afterwards.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses with husband in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Cagla disputed that account, saying she knew some pieces had been bought, although she said a crown, belt and chain had been borrowed or provided in return for advertising.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses with husband in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
She said all the jewellery was taken from her by Mehmet after the wedding.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Police later recovered 66 bracelets, a chain, foreign currency, other jewellery, mobile phones and Mehmet’s passport from the suitcase in Muradiye, Van Province.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses with husband in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Cagla and Mehmet remain in custody over allegations of laundering assets derived from crime, which they deny.
Influencer Cagla Oz poses in undated photo. She had a lavish wedding in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
The investigation is continuing.
Video shows the influencer bride being covered in gold on a wedding in Istanbul, Turkey, undated. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Video shows the influencer bride being covered in gold on a wedding in Istanbul, Turkey, undated. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Video shows the influencer bride being covered in gold on a wedding in Istanbul, Turkey, undated. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
Video shows the influencer bride being covered in gold on a wedding in Istanbul, Turkey, undated. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@cag1aoz/Newsflash/NX)
(Harrisons)
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