Emrah Şener, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB), has been arrested on charges of defrauding the Central Bank through irregularities linked to the Interbank Card Center (BKM). The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced Şener's arrest on October 10, 2025, following an extensive investigation into financial misconduct during his tenure.
The allegations, initially brought to public attention by journalist İsmail Saymaz on Halk TV on October 17, 2025, and subsequently reported by Yetkin Report, detail a scheme involving illicit money transfers that allegedly caused over 100 million Turkish Liras in public losses. Şener, who served as Deputy Governor from 2016 to 2023, is accused of orchestrating fraudulent activities related to the procurement of chip-enabled plastic cards and software development for the domestic credit card system, Troy, through BKM.
The investigation reportedly began after internal audits at the Central Bank in 2023 uncovered the irregularities. A criminal complaint filed by the TCMB on December 6, 2024, escalated the matter to a prosecutorial inquiry. Şener, appointed to his role from the private sector in 2016 during Murat Çetinkaya's governorship and continuing until July 2023 under Hafize Gaye Erkan, is suspected of diverting funds to shell companies abroad through these tenders. Seven individuals, including former BKM General Manager Baran Aytaş and his deputy Bora Koç, have also been arrested alongside Şener. Arrest warrants have been issued for four other suspects believed to be abroad. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing with a confidentiality order in place.
Photo: The source
