In Antalya, a father of five, Kurtuluş Gümüş, wanted to do a good deed for a friend — but it ended in disaster. He now faces ₺520,000 in debt and the risk of losing his home. For the past month, Gümüş has been living in the corner of a warehouse, saying, “So this is the reward for kindness.”
A Costly Act of Friendship
According to reports, 61-year-old Gümüş, who lives in Antalya and makes a living as a firewood dealer, agreed to register his friend as an insured employee for three months at his workplace — without telling his wife. However, after this gesture, he began receiving debt collection notices.
Because his friend’s past debts were linked to the employment registration, over ₺520,000 in debt was issued in his wife’s name, as she appeared as a third party on the file. The incident shattered both his business and his 22-year marriage.
“I Helped Someone, and I Lost My Home”
“I trusted my friend and registered him for three months. My wife didn’t know. Then enforcement letters started arriving at home. The first was for ₺372,000, then another for ₺182,000 — a total of ₺520,000,” said Gümüş.
“I’ve spent 45 years working with firewood so my children could study. But since this happened, I’ve lost my peace and stability. My wife of 22 years threw me out. For a month now, I’ve been staying at a friend’s shop. I go out in the morning, come back at night, give my child some allowance, and return. I’m sleeping on the streets because of a favor I did for a friend. He ruined my marriage. I guess this is the reward for kindness.”
“I Just Want My Family Back”
Gümüş says he’s been struggling with the debt for a year. “Our car and motorcycle were seized. My only source of income was taken away. I even punished myself — I haven’t showered in 18 days. I just want this issue resolved and to return home.
I don’t care about the money; I just want my family back. If he lifts the lien, maybe my wife will forgive me. The other day, I went home when a guest was there, and my wife said, ‘How dare you show your face here after being kicked out?’ I lost both my home and my dignity.”
“He Can’t Come Back Until the Debt Is Cleared”
His wife, Zeynep Gümüş, says the ordeal has nearly destroyed their marriage:
“Our problem started because of my husband’s friend. Because of these debts, our accounts and car were seized, and we can’t even get a loan. Our shop has become like a ghost store. I kicked my husband out, and I won’t let him return until this matter is solved. My only wish is for these debts to be cleared — only then will I decide what to do next.”
