Turkey seizes fake citizenship network, 72 detained in Istanbul-led operation
Authorities detained suspects accused of using fake appraisal reports to help foreigners obtain Turkish citizenship; citizenship of 687 people faces revocation.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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Turkish authorities launched an operation in Istanbul against an organized crime group accused of using fake appraisal reports to show low-priced properties as high-value and helping foreigners obtain Turkish citizenship. The operation, announced by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau and carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department's Anti-Smuggling and Border Gates Branch.
Arrest warrants were issued for 90 suspects, and 72 were detained in operations across 16 provinces centered on Istanbul. Authorities continued efforts to arrest the remaining suspects. source_ref: claim:6
72 suspects detained
Detained in operations across 16 provinces centered on Istanbul.
Fraudulent citizenship scheme
Investigators determined that low-priced properties were shown as high-value through fake appraisal reports and used in collusive (sham) sales. Financial benefits were obtained from foreigners who wanted to obtain Turkish citizenship through these transactions. In total, 687 people obtained Turkish citizenship through this fraudulent method.
687 people
Obtained Turkish citizenship through the fraudulent method.
Approximately 2.5 billion Turkish lira that should have entered Turkey was not brought in; instead, fictitious money movements were created. Seven companies were seized and trustees were appointed to them.
In the investigation, authorities seized 1,045 real estate properties, a hotel in Bodrum, 15 motor vehicles, a yacht, and 10 bank accounts.
Citizenship revocation and legal response
Turkey started efforts to revoke the Turkish citizenship of the 687 people who obtained citizenship through the fraudulent transactions. The revocation process will be concluded after administrative reviews by relevant institutions. source_ref: claim:14
All legal means will be used decisively.
— Turkey's Justice Minister Akın Gürlek
Gürlek said the state will use all legal means decisively against structures that harm the state, abuse citizenship law and obtain unfair profit. He added that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership, the fight against criminal organizations and forgery continues without compromise with strong cooperation between the Justice and Interior Ministries and coordination with chief public prosecutor's offices and the police.
The operation was launched on the morning of the day it was announced. source_ref: claim:18 Police procedures for the suspects and examination of evidence gathered in the investigation are continuing. source_ref: claim:19
Updates
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the operation, revealing that suspects facilitated citizenship by using collusive property sales and creating fictitious money movements. Additionally, authorities have applied precautionary measures to assets believed to be linked to the crime or used in the fraudulent transactions.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the operation, noting that suspects allegedly used collusive property sales and fictitious money movements to facilitate citizenship via investment. Consequently, precautionary measures have been applied to assets suspected to be linked to the crime or the transactions.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the operation, revealing that investigators alleged fake money movements were used in citizenship applications through collusive property sales. Authorities have also applied precautionary measures to assets suspected to be linked to the crime or used in these transactions.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the operation, which targeted a scheme involving collusive property sales and fictitious money movements to bypass foreign currency requirements. While sources dispute the exact scale of seizures, reports indicate the confiscation of either 1,045 or 1,065 real estate properties and a hotel in Bodrum. The fraudulent citizenship group of 687 people is primarily composed of Iranians (191), Iraqis (81), Saudis (79), and Yemenis (72).
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the operation, which involved seizing between 1,045 and 1,065 real estate properties and a hotel in Bodrum. Investigators identified that the scheme, allegedly led by İbrahim Halil Babacan and Mehmet Babacan, utilized fictitious money movements and shell companies to bypass legal currency requirements. Among the 687 individuals facing citizenship revocation, the largest nationality groups were identified as 191 Iranians, 81 Iraqis, 79 Saudis, and 72 Yemenis.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that the operation targeted a scheme involving fictitious money movements and collusive property sales to fraudulently grant citizenship. While sources dispute the exact scale, reports claim between 1,045 and 1,065 real estate properties, including a hotel in Bodrum, were seized. Among the 687 people facing citizenship revocation, the largest nationality groups identified were 191 Iranians, 81 Iraqis, 79 Saudis, and 72 Yemenis.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that the operation targeted a scheme using collusive property sales and fictitious money movements to bypass foreign currency requirements, leading to an estimated $51.6 million in public damage. Among the 687 citizens facing revocation, the largest nationality groups are Iranians (191), Iraqis (81), Saudis (79), and Yemenis (72). While some sources report 1,065 seized properties and a hotel in Bodrum, others claim the number is 1,045.
