The Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have received “suspicious” payments on the orders of Selman Turk, a former Goldman Sachs banker, in the context of an 40 40 million international fraud, allegedly.
The payments included a 750 750,000 “gift” to the Duke from Nebahat Evyap Isbilen, a 76-year-old Turkish millionaire, who was told he was paying for help with a passport to escape political persecution in her homeland.
The first payment to the Duke came days after Mr Turk won a prize in the Duke’s Dragons Den competition, known as Pitch @ Palace, at St James’ Palace. Ms Isbilen told the Supreme Court she believed the payment was linked to Mr Turk appearing at the event.
Further payments related to Mr Turk, amounting to .000 350,000, were made to Prince Andrew through a third party account, who also handed over 5 225,000 to his ex-wife.
The revelation comes days after the Duke accompanied the queen to a memorial service for his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in what was seen as an attempt to begin his recovery. It also comes weeks after he allegedly paid 12 12m to settle a sexual assault case.
Ms Isbilen is pursuing Mr Turk, and various companies affiliated with him, to the Supreme Court for the return of some 40 40 million.
Jonathan Tickner, head of fraud and trade disputes at Peters & Peters, representing Ms Isbilen, told The Telegraph on Thursday night that she had been the victim of “serious fraud” and was “determined to pursue her claims against all those involved”.
The .000 750,000 was transferred to the Duke on November 15, 2019, days after he awarded Turkey the People’s Choice Award at Pitch @ Palace for Heyman AI, a millennial digital bank that collapsed a year and a half later.
Court documents show Mr Tickner wrote to Prince Andrew in March last year, but he “refused” to answer questions or give any description of his relationship with Mr Turk. He has repaid 750 750,000.
