Alleged Turkish money laundering influencers face court: ‘We don’t have jobs or income’

The high-profile case of money laundering influencers Dilan and Engin Polat has captured the attention of everyone in Türkiye and abroad.

The couple, famous for flaunting their wealth on social media, is now facing serious charges of money laundering and running an illegal betting operation. Alongside 28 other defendants, the Polat couple appeared before the Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court, where they denied the accusations. If convicted, the couple could face up to 40 years in prison.

In court, Engin Polat expressed how the accusations have torn their family apart. “I have been separated from my family for 10 months due to lies and slander. Our reputation and lives have been shattered,” he said.

Both Dilan and Engin Polat claimed they are currently unemployed. “I graduated from high school and have no job or income,” Engin Polat stated, while Dilan similarly mentioned that she has no income either.

Money laundering influencers Dilan, Engin Polat deny running illegal betting operations

The case against the Polats centers on allegations that they laundered around $30 million (₺1 billion) through their businesses, which prosecutors claim are linked to illegal betting operations.

Engin firmly denied the charges in court on Wednesday, stating, “All of our earnings have been obtained through legal means.” He went on to clarify, “We are leaders in Türkiye’s beauty sector, and none of our companies are fake or shell businesses.”

The indictment suggests that the couple moved funds abroad using cryptocurrency wallets, but Engin rejected this claim, explaining, “I don’t even know what a cold wallet is. I’ve never used such an account.”

He also accused convicted individuals of fabricating evidence against him to secure early release, saying, “There is no proof of these allegations because they are based on lies. I have seen people eat soap in prison just to get out, and I believe these witnesses are lying to get released.”

Dilan Polat defends husband’s innocence as family faces illegal activity allegations

Members of the Polat family, including Engin Polat’s father, Sezgin Polat, and brother, Alper Kursat Polat, also face charges. Alper defended his role in the family business, saying, “I’ve been involved in our family business my entire life, but I never dealt with financial matters. I only managed customers and employees.”

Dilan, who was released on bail in August, supported her husband’s innocence in court, declaring, “I trust my husband completely. He did not launder money.” She explained that her role was primarily promotional and that she wasn’t involved in the management of their companies. “I was just the face of the business. I didn’t handle taxes or daily operations,” she added.

The court also questioned Dilan regarding a WhatsApp message where she instructed people to delete certain communications. She clarified, “Those were personal photos, not related to anything illegal, and I asked for them to be deleted for privacy reasons.”

Despite the accusations, the alleged money laundering influencers remain firm in their defense and have requested the return of their businesses, which were seized during the investigation. Engin Polat pleaded with the court, “Our lives have been destroyed by these lies. I ask for the return of our companies and my immediate release.”

The trial continues, with more defendants and witnesses expected to testify in the coming days.

Who is Dilan Polat? Influencer’s rise, her family’s lavish lifestyle

Dilan Polat, born on July 21, 1990, is a well-known social media influencer in Türkiye with millions of followers. Before her rise to fame, she worked as a birth photographer and later ventured into the beauty industry. She then ran beauty centers with numerous branches in Türkiye and Dubai until her arrest and consequent imprisonment.

Polat has a tragic past which she opened up about during a broadcast. At the age of 10, she lost her mother when her father, during a mental health crisis, took his wife’s life. Following the incident, Dilan and her siblings were raised by their aunt, where she met her husband, Engin Polat.

Together, the couple built a beauty empire, but they faced financial struggles early on, even going bankrupt at one point. They used the inheritance from Dilan Polat’s father to open their first beauty center, which marked the beginning of their business’ success.

The trial against Dilan and Engin Polat continues to attract significant attention, with more testimonies and evidence expected in the coming days.

Both Dilan and Engin have denied all allegations, standing firm in their defense. The outcome of this case could reshape the Polat family’s future and set a precedent for how financial crimes involving high-profile influencers are handled in Türkiye.