Forbes 30 Under 30 Turkish CEO Gökçe Güven Charged with $7M Fraud and O-1 Visa Scam
February 3, 2026 – New York | Gökçe Güven, the 26-year-old Turkish founder of fintech startup Kalder Inc. and a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, has been indicted on multiple federal charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. authorities allege that Güven misled investors by inflating her company’s revenue and client base, raising approximately $7 million under false pretenses. She is also accused of submitting forged reference letters to secure an elite O-1 “extraordinary ability” visa after her student visa expired.
Details of the Alleged Investor Fraud
According to the indictment, Güven presented investors with fabricated financial data claiming Kalder had $1.2 million in recurring revenue and 26 major brand clients. Prosecutors say these figures were significantly exaggerated.
Investigators discovered two sets of financial records:
- An accurate internal ledger prepared by an external accountant
- A manipulated version shown only to prospective investors
O-1 Visa Fraud Allegations
The O-1 visa is reserved for individuals with extraordinary achievement in their field. Prosecutors claim Güven sponsored her own application using Kalder’s allegedly falsified success metrics and submitted endorsement letters that were either forged or falsely attributed to industry executives.
Rise and Background
Güven graduated from prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley and MIT. She launched Kalder in 2022 as a marketing-finance platform, reportedly reaching a $35 million valuation. Her inclusion in Forbes 30 Under 30 elevated her profile as an inspiring young leader.
She was arrested in late November 2025 and remains in custody pending trial.
Authoritative Sources:
U.S. Department of Justice – SDNY |
Inc. Magazine |
Original Hürriyet Report (Turkish)
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