‘I look like Jeffrey Epstein – strangers’ reactions make me feel uncomfortable’

Rifat Ozdemir, 55, says he has faced a string of insults and hostile reactions from people in the street because they think he looks like the billionaire paedophile. He now plans to grow a beard and dye his hair

This is the man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein and claims his life has been turned upside down due to being constantly mistaken for the dead child sex offender.

Rifat Ozdemir, 55, has spoken out following a series of offensive remarks and aggressive responses from strangers he’s met on the streets of Kayseri, in central Turkey.

Rifat – who described himself as a typical hardworking individual – has expressed his astonishment at becoming the subject of awkward glances and comments in public after people started claiming he bore a resemblance to the disgraced American billionaire, convicted on child sexual abuse charges. Rifat revealed the likeness was initially highlighted by his nephew who mentioned he looked similar to Epstein – a name he claimed meant nothing to him at that moment.

Following his investigation into Epstein’s identity through news coverage and social media platforms, Rifat expressed his profound distress and stated he wanted no connection whatsoever with the man. He explained that passers-by would give him severe and critical stares as he moved through the streets, noting overhearing people comment “he looks like Epstein” caused him considerable anxiety and discomfort.

Portraying himself as an ordinary, industrious member of society, Rifat stated being likened to such an individual had adversely impacted both his everyday life and mental wellbeing.

In a bid to separate himself from any similarity, he revealed plans to alter his hairstyle and grow facial hair, despite having never sported a beard. Rifat declared he would make every conceivable modification to his looks to prevent any association with Epstein. Even though he acknowledged his facial features and mannerisms bore a striking resemblance to the child predator.

Rifat has made a public plea in a statement over the weekend urging people not to draw comparisons between him and Epstein. He emphasised he had no links to him and stating such individuals did not originate from Kayseri.

The Daily Star previously reported Jeffrey Epstein’s medical records which revealed the convicted paedophile suffered from “very low” testosterone and was also offered “max penis enlarged pills”. The slew of medical files revealed the vile criminal battled a lengthy list of STD’s – and also struggled with “low libido”. One of these various STD’s was gonorrhoea as messages revealed parasites were found in Epstein’s blood and urine after medical examinations.

In other messages between the predator and his doctor in 2016 it was revealed Epstein had testosterone levels the “same for 10 years”. Messages revealed his test levels were far below the normal range and warranted a “prompt consultation with a doctor to identify the root cause.”