Forbes 30 Under 30 Turkish CEO Gökçe Güven Charged with $7M Investor Fraud and O-1 Visa Scam
Forbes 30 Under 30 Turkish CEO Gökçe Güven Charged with $7M Fraud and O-1 Visa Scam 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. Gökçe Güven, once celebrated as a rising star in fintech (Credit: Hürriyet / Company archives) 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 A...