26-Year-Old Secures US ‘Extraordinary’ Visa with False Claims, Commits Rs 63 Crore Fraud

Turkish tech entrepreneur Gokce Guven, founder of New York-based fintech startup Kalder, has been indicted in the United States on charges of defrauding investors of $7 million and making false claims to obtain a coveted visa, federal prosecutors announced this week.

The 26-year-old Turkish citizen faces multiple serious charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The case was jointly announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Guven founded Kalder Inc., which she marketed as a “fintech-marketing platform” designed to help brands create and monetize customized loyalty and rewards programs. Beginning in April 2024, she embarked on a seed funding round, positioning herself as a rising star in the fintech sector.

According to prosecutors, Guven systematically misled potential investors with false statements and fabricated documents about her company’s performance. Her pitch materials claimed that 26 brands were actively “using Kalder” and another 53 were in “live freemium” mode.

Investigators discovered that many of these claimed partnerships were either greatly exaggerated or completely fabricated. Some brands had only participated in heavily discounted short-term pilot programs, while others had no formal relationship with Kalder whatsoever.

The indictment further alleges that Guven falsely represented Kalder’s financial performance, claiming steady revenue growth since February 2023 and asserting the company had reached $1.2 million in annual recurring revenue by March 2024.

To maintain this facade, authorities say Guven maintained two separate sets of financial records—accurate books prepared by an external accounting firm and inflated figures that she shared with potential investors. Through these alleged misrepresentations, Guven successfully raised approximately $7 million from more than a dozen investors.

The case took an additional turn when investigators discovered that Guven allegedly used the same false claims to secure an O-1A “extraordinary ability” visa after her student visa expired. This prestigious visa category is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional talent in fields such as business, science, education, or athletics.

In her visa application, which was sponsored by Kalder, Guven repeated the same misrepresentations used to attract investors. Prosecutors also allege that she submitted letters of support that appeared to be signed by senior business executives but were actually digitally signed by Guven herself without their knowledge or consent. Her visa application was approved in fall 2025.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating, “Gokce Guven built her seed round on fake revenue, inflated brand partnerships, and fabricated documents, and then used the same lies to secure a visa reserved for extraordinary ability. Beware of fraud masquerading as entrepreneurship.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. added that Guven “allegedly curated a façade of her business ingenuity to unlawfully reap financial and personal benefits.”

The case highlights growing concerns in the venture capital industry about verification of startup claims during fundraising rounds. It also draws attention to potential misuse of specialized visa programs intended for genuinely exceptional talent—a particularly sensitive issue amid ongoing debates about immigration and visa policies in the United States.

This indictment comes amid increased scrutiny of the startup ecosystem, where pressure to show rapid growth and impressive metrics has sometimes led to exaggerated claims. For investors, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough due diligence, particularly when evaluating early-stage companies with limited operating history.

If convicted on all counts, Guven could face significant prison time and financial penalties under U.S. federal law. The case will proceed in New York federal court based on a superseding indictment.