How Can a Foreigner File a Criminal Complaint in Türkiye After Being Defrauded?

A foreign national can file a criminal complaint in Türkiye if they become the victim of fraud.

Turkish criminal law does not reserve fraud protection only for Turkish citizens.

A tourist, foreign investor, expatriate, international student, foreign company representative, property purchaser or person living permanently outside Türkiye may all become victims of fraud committed in Türkiye.

Common cases include a foreigner who:

• sends money to a fake property seller;
• pays an estate agent who disappears;
• purchases a nonexistent apartment;
• transfers money to a supposed investment company;
• is deceived by someone pretending to be a bank employee;
• receives a fraudulent WhatsApp investment offer;
• sends cryptocurrency to a fake trading platform;
• pays a person claiming to be a lawyer, public official or immigration consultant;
• purchases a vehicle whose condition or identity has deliberately been falsified;
• pays for goods that the seller never intended to deliver;
• sends money to a romantic partner who used a fabricated story from the beginning;
• invests in a nonexistent company;
• gives money to a person promising to obtain Turkish citizenship or a residence permit through fictitious connections;
• or transfers money after being told that a police officer, prosecutor, judge or bank official requires payment.

The correct response depends on the facts, but in genuine fraud cases the foreign victim can normally submit a criminal complaint to a Turkish Public Prosecutor’s Office (Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı) or to law-enforcement authorities.

Article 158 of the Turkish Criminal Procedure Code expressly provides that reports and complaints concerning crimes may be submitted to the Public Prosecutor or law-enforcement authorities. A complaint may be made in writing or orally for inclusion in an official record. Complaints submitted to a governor’s office, district governor’s office or court are forwarded to the relevant Public Prosecutor’s Office.

A foreign victim therefore does not lose access to criminal justice because they:

• do not speak Turkish;
• do not hold a Turkish residence permit;
• live abroad;
• do not know the fraudster’s Turkish identification number;
• do not know exactly which Turkish criminal offence applies;
• or have already left Türkiye.

However, speed can be extremely important.

In modern fraud cases, money may move through several bank accounts within minutes.

Cryptocurrency may be transferred through several wallets.

A fraudulent company may empty its accounts.

A property may be sold to a third party.

Phone numbers may be cancelled.

Social-media accounts may disappear.

Websites may be deleted.

Electronic logs may only be retained for limited periods.

For these reasons, filing a well-documented complaint quickly can make a significant difference.

Short Answer: What Should a Foreign Fraud Victim Do First?

A foreigner who believes they have been defrauded in Türkiye should generally do four things immediately.

First, preserve every piece of evidence.

Second, notify the relevant bank, payment institution, cryptocurrency platform or card issuer immediately where money has recently been transferred.

Third, file a detailed criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office or police and clearly identify urgent evidence and asset-preservation requests.

Fourth, consider whether civil litigation, enforcement proceedings, a provisional attachment or another private-law remedy must be pursued in parallel.

A criminal complaint is extremely important, but it is not a universal substitute for all other legal proceedings.

The Ministry of Justice’s victim-information service expressly warns that a fraud complaint does not automatically suspend separate enforcement proceedings or civil cases connected with the underlying transaction. Those proceedings must be addressed separately.

What Is Fraud Under Turkish Criminal Law?

The principal fraud offence is regulated by Article 157 of the Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237.

In broad terms, fraud occurs where a person:

1. uses deceptive conduct;
2. deceives another person;
3. causes financial loss to that person or somebody else;
4. and obtains an unlawful benefit for themselves or another person.

Article 157 currently provides a sentence of one to five years’ imprisonment and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days for basic fraud.

The core of fraud is therefore deception.

Not every unpaid debt is fraud.

Not every unsuccessful investment is fraud.

Not every seller who breaches a contract is a criminal fraudster.

The prosecutor must normally identify deceptive conduct existing before or during the victim’s decision to transfer money or property.

This distinction is particularly important for foreign victims because a poorly drafted criminal complaint may be dismissed as a civil dispute if it simply says:

“I paid him and he did not repay me.”

A stronger complaint explains:

• what the suspect represented;
• why that representation was false;
• whether the suspect knew it was false;
• how the victim relied on it;
• when the money was transferred;
• what the suspect did immediately afterwards;
• and why the evidence suggests that the intention to deceive existed from the beginning.

The Ministry of Justice specifically emphasises that evidence of deceptive conduct is crucial in fraud cases; otherwise, a complaint may be characterised as an ordinary debt or civil-law dispute.

What Is Aggravated Fraud in Türkiye?

Many modern scams involving foreigners are not treated merely as basic fraud.

Article 158 of the Turkish Criminal Code regulates aggravated fraud (nitelikli dolandırıcılık).

Current aggravated circumstances include fraud committed:

• by exploiting religious beliefs or feelings;
• by taking advantage of a person’s dangerous situation or difficult circumstances;
• by exploiting weakness in the victim’s perception;
• through use of public institutions, professional public bodies, political parties, foundations or associations as instruments;
• to the detriment of public institutions;
• through use of information systems, banks or credit institutions;
• by taking advantage of mass media;
• by merchants, company managers or persons acting for a company during commercial activity;
• by professionals abusing trust arising from their profession;
• for improperly obtaining credit;
• for obtaining insurance proceeds;
• or by pretending to be a public official, bank employee, insurance employee or credit-institution employee, or claiming a connection with those institutions.

The ordinary punishment under Article 158 is currently three to ten years’ imprisonment and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days.

For certain aggravated forms—including some cases involving public institutions, information systems or banks, credit fraud, insurance fraud and impersonation of specified officials or financial-institution employees—the statutory minimum prison sentence is four years and the judicial fine cannot be less than twice the unlawful benefit.

These classifications matter because many scams targeting foreigners are committed through:

• websites;
• Instagram;
• WhatsApp;
• Telegram;
• fake banking applications;
• fake investment platforms;
• corporate entities;
• online property listings;
• or bank accounts.

Important 2026 Update: The 12th Judicial Package Changed the Fraud Rules

The law changed again in 2026.

Law No. 7589, commonly referred to as the 12th Judicial Package, was published on 31 July 2026.

Among other changes, it added a new fourth paragraph to Article 158 of the Turkish Criminal Code.

Under the new rule, where a person’s participation in fraud is limited to giving another person the information or means necessary to use:

• a bank card;
• credit card;
• bank account;
• brokerage account;
• payment-service account;
• or cryptocurrency-service-provider account

for the purpose of obtaining an unlawful benefit, the sentence may be reduced by half under the conditions stated in the provision.

This update is especially relevant to modern fraud investigations because stolen money frequently moves through money mule accounts.

Foreign victims should therefore understand that:

the person whose IBAN received the money may not necessarily be the mastermind of the fraud.

The account holder may be:

• the principal offender;
• a knowing participant;
• a person who knowingly rented or lent the account;
• or another participant whose legal responsibility must be determined separately.

A good complaint should therefore avoid assuming that the first account holder is necessarily the only offender.

Instead, it should request investigation of:

• ultimate beneficiaries;
• linked accounts;
• onward transfers;
• cash withdrawals;
• cryptocurrency conversion;
• IP data;
• device records;
• and communications among participants.

Can a Foreigner File a Complaint Even If the Fraudster Is Unknown?

Yes.

It is not necessary to know the suspect’s full identity before making a complaint.

Many cyberfraud victims know only:

• a phone number;
• Instagram username;
• Telegram account;
• email address;
• bank IBAN;
• cryptocurrency wallet;
• website;
• or fake name.

The complaint can be filed against:

“unknown suspect or suspects.”

The foreign victim should then provide every identifier available.

For example:

• bank name;
• IBAN;
• account-holder name;
• SWIFT details;
• telephone number;
• WhatsApp number;
• Telegram username;
• email address;
• social-media profile;
• website address;
• cryptocurrency wallet;
• transaction hash;
• payment institution;
• merchant information;
• vehicle plate;
• company name;
• trade registry information;
• property address;
• or any photograph of the suspect.

One of the prosecutor’s roles is to identify unknown offenders through investigation.

Under Article 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, once the prosecutor learns of circumstances giving the impression that a crime has been committed, the prosecutor must begin investigating the truth to determine whether a criminal case should be brought. The prosecutor must collect and preserve evidence both for and against the suspect.

Where Can a Foreigner File a Fraud Complaint in Türkiye?

Under Article 158 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the most direct routes are:

1. The Public Prosecutor’s Office

The foreign victim can submit a written criminal complaint to the relevant Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı.

2. Police

A complaint may be given to the police.

For cybercrime cases, specialised cybercrime units may become involved.

3. Gendarmerie

Where the relevant location falls within gendarmerie jurisdiction, the complaint may be received there.

Article 158 also states that a complaint given to a governor’s office, district governor’s office or court must be forwarded to the relevant prosecutor. Most importantly, complaints can be written or oral and recorded in an official statement.

For practical purposes, a complex high-value fraud case is often best presented through a structured written petition submitted directly to the prosecutor.

Which Public Prosecutor’s Office Should the Foreign Victim Apply To?

Where possible, the complaint should be submitted to the prosecutor connected with the place of the offence.

But a victim should not delay an urgent fraud complaint for days merely because they are uncertain about territorial jurisdiction.

Article 158 allows complaints to be given to prosecutorial and law-enforcement authorities, and an incorrectly located complaint can be forwarded to the relevant prosecutor.

For example, a foreign victim may have:

• met the suspect in Istanbul;
• transferred money from Antalya;
• sent funds to an Ankara bank account;
• communicated through a server abroad;
• and later discovered the fraud while in Germany.

Such cases can create complicated jurisdictional questions.

The victim’s priority should be to preserve evidence and place the facts before judicial authorities.

The competent prosecutor can then address jurisdiction.

Can a Foreigner File a Fraud Complaint at a Police Station?

Yes.

The Ministry of Justice’s own fraud guidance states that a victim can go to the nearest police station or Public Prosecutor’s Office and make a complaint.

At the police station, the victim’s statement is recorded and relevant evidence can be provided.

However, for a substantial fraud involving:

• several suspects;
• multiple bank accounts;
• companies;
• cryptocurrency;
• property;
• or urgent seizure requests,

a detailed written petition prepared with a clear chronology can be significantly more effective than an unstructured oral statement.

The best complaint explains not only what happened, but also what evidence the prosecutor should urgently obtain.

Can a Complaint Be Made Orally?

Yes.

Article 158 expressly permits complaints to be made orally for inclusion in an official record.

A foreign tourist therefore does not need to know how to draft a Turkish legal petition before reporting a crime.

The person can go to the police or prosecutor and explain what happened.

Still, after a serious financial fraud, written documentation is highly advisable.

Does the Criminal Complaint Have to Be Written in Turkish?

Turkish criminal proceedings are conducted in Turkish.

A complaint prepared in Turkish generally facilitates faster processing.

However, a foreign victim who cannot adequately speak Turkish has a statutory right to interpretation during criminal proceedings.

Article 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides that where the victim cannot speak Turkish well enough to express themselves, the essential parts of proceedings are interpreted by a court-appointed interpreter; the same protection applies during the investigation stage, where the interpreter is appointed by the judge or prosecutor.

The Criminal Procedure Code also provides that interpretation expenses for a victim, witness, suspect or defendant who does not know Turkish are borne by the State and are not treated as ordinary litigation expenses.

This is particularly important for foreign fraud victims.

Should a Foreign Victim Sign a Turkish Statement They Do Not Understand?

No statement should be signed before the victim understands what it says.

A criminal statement is evidence.

The Ministry of Justice advises victims to read the statement record carefully before signing because signing indicates acceptance that the written record accurately reflects the person’s account.

A foreign victim should verify:

• names;
• amounts;
• currencies;
• dates;
• bank account numbers;
• transaction descriptions;
• and the description of the fraud

before signing.

If the written Turkish record does not accurately reflect the statement, correction should be requested.

Does a Foreigner Need a Turkish Lawyer to File the Complaint?

No.

A lawyer is not legally mandatory for a competent adult victim merely to report fraud.

The victim can personally:

• go to the prosecutor;
• go to police;
• make a statement;
• and provide evidence.

However, legal representation can be highly valuable where:

• the financial loss is substantial;
• the fraud involves multiple suspects;
• property is at risk;
• money was transferred through several banks;
• cryptocurrency is involved;
• the suspect has disappeared;
• the victim is abroad;
• corporate documents must be obtained;
• the transaction could be mischaracterised as a civil dispute;
• or urgent asset-preservation measures are needed.

A lawyer representing the victim is called a vekil, not a defence lawyer.

Is a Free Court-Appointed Lawyer Automatically Provided to Every Foreign Fraud Victim?

No.

This point is often misunderstood.

Article 234 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides several rights to victims and complainants, including the right in certain serious categories to request appointment of a lawyer where they do not already have one.

Current Ministry of Justice guidance states that appointment on request is available in specified offences and in offences whose statutory minimum punishment exceeds five years’ imprisonment, with automatic representation for certain vulnerable victims.

Ordinary fraud and many aggravated fraud offences do not automatically satisfy that general punishment threshold.

Therefore, an adult foreign fraud victim should not assume that a private lawyer will automatically be appointed by the State merely because a large amount of money was lost.

The victim can nevertheless hire their own lawyer.

What Rights Does a Foreign Fraud Victim Have During the Investigation?

Nationality does not remove the procedural rights of the victim.

Article 234 provides important investigation rights, including the right to:

• request collection of evidence;
• request copies of documents from the prosecutor where this does not prejudice secrecy or the purpose of the investigation;
• have a lawyer review investigation materials within applicable legal limits;
• and challenge a decision not to prosecute.

For fraud victims, the right to request evidence is particularly important.

The victim or lawyer can identify specific investigative steps such as:

• requesting bank records;
• identifying beneficiary accounts;
• preserving CCTV;
• obtaining company records;
• requesting IP logs;
• obtaining telecom subscriber data;
• identifying cryptocurrency-exchange accounts;
• examining phones;
• or questioning witnesses.

The final decision on investigative measures belongs to the competent authorities, but a well-prepared request helps show why the evidence matters.

What Evidence Should Be Attached to a Fraud Complaint?

The strongest fraud complaint is built around documentary evidence.

A foreign victim should preserve and organise all relevant material.

Useful evidence may include:

• bank transfer receipts;
• SWIFT records;
• card-payment records;
• payment-provider records;
• cryptocurrency transaction hashes;
• wallet addresses;
• cryptocurrency-exchange records;
• screenshots of fake platforms;
• WhatsApp messages;
• Telegram conversations;
• emails;
• SMS messages;
• voice messages;
• call logs;
• social-media profiles;
• advertisements;
• contracts;
• invoices;
• receipts;
• promissory notes;
• property documents;
• title deeds;
• estate-agent agreements;
• company registration documents;
• investment presentations;
• photographs;
• videos;
• passport details provided by suspects;
• fake identification documents;
• fake powers of attorney;
• fake bank documents;
• fake government documents;
• website records;
• witness details;
• and any communication after the victim demanded repayment.

Documents should be placed in chronological order.

Why Is a Chronology So Important?

Complex fraud complaints often fail to communicate the criminal scheme clearly because the victim submits hundreds of screenshots with no explanation.

A prosecutor should be able to understand the essential story quickly.

A useful chronology might state:

3 January 2026: Victim meets suspect.

6 January 2026: Suspect represents that he owns Apartment X.

8 January 2026: Suspect sends alleged title deed.

10 January 2026: Victim transfers EUR 150,000 to Account A.

10 January 2026: Money is transferred from Account A to Accounts B and C.

15 January 2026: Suspect postpones title transfer.

20 January 2026: Land Registry search shows suspect never owned the apartment.

22 January 2026: Suspect blocks victim on WhatsApp.

This is much easier to investigate than an unstructured narrative.

What Should a Criminal Complaint Petition Contain?

A professional fraud complaint generally contains:

The authority

For example:

“To the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office”

Complainant/victim information

Name, nationality, passport or foreign identity details where available, address and contact information.

Lawyer information

Where represented.

Suspect information

Known name, company, telephone, account, email, social media and other identifiers.

Offences

Possible fraud and any related offences, without treating legal classification as more important than the facts.

Facts

A clear chronological explanation.

Evidence

Each document should be linked to a factual allegation.

Investigation requests

For example, bank records, identification of account holders, phone subscriber details and digital investigation.

Urgent protective requests

Where appropriate, consideration of seizure or preservation of identifiable criminal proceeds.

Conclusion

A request that the suspects be investigated and prosecuted according to law.

Does the Victim Need to Know Whether the Offence Is TCK 157 or TCK 158?

No.

Legal classification ultimately belongs to the prosecutor and court.

The victim should primarily explain the facts accurately.

For example, rather than focusing only on writing:

“The suspect committed Article 158/1-f.”

the complaint should explain:

“The suspect created a fake online investment platform, communicated through WhatsApp, instructed the victim to transfer funds to named bank accounts and displayed fictitious account profits to induce additional payments.”

The prosecutor can then determine whether the facts constitute:

• basic fraud;
• aggravated fraud using information systems;
• fraud using banks;
• forgery;
• money laundering;
• unauthorised financial activity;
• or other offences.

When Is a Civil Dispute Not Fraud?

A frequent mistake is attempting to criminalise an ordinary contractual disagreement.

Suppose a foreigner lends money to a Turkish friend.

The friend genuinely intended to repay but later becomes insolvent.

That is not automatically fraud.

Suppose a foreign buyer orders goods.

The seller has a real business and intends to deliver but production is delayed.

That is not automatically fraud.

Suppose a real estate project is delayed because of financial difficulty.

Again, criminal fraud is not automatic.

The critical issue is deception and fraudulent intention.

Useful indicators of fraud can include:

• false identity;
• false ownership;
• fake documents;
• fabricated investment returns;
• nonexistent companies;
• repeated identical scams against several victims;
• immediate withdrawal of funds;
• misleading bank screens;
• fictitious property;
• fake government connections;
• pretending to be a public official;
• false guarantees known to be impossible;
• or obtaining money for a purpose the offender never intended to perform.

The Ministry of Justice specifically warns that where deceptive conduct cannot be evidenced, the dispute may be regarded as an ordinary receivable or debt conflict.

Example: Unpaid Debt Versus Criminal Fraud

Consider two scenarios.

Scenario A: Civil Debt

A person borrows EUR 50,000.

They operate a real business.

They intend to repay.

The business fails.

They cannot repay.

This is primarily a debt-collection issue.

Scenario B: Fraud

A person tells the foreign victim that they own a construction company and need EUR 50,000 to purchase materials.

The company does not exist.

The documents are fake.

The person uses the same story against ten victims.

Money is immediately withdrawn.

The suspect disappears.

The second scenario contains evidence of deceptive intent from the beginning.

This is why a criminal complaint should explain the fraudulent mechanism, not merely the unpaid amount.

What If the Fraud Was Committed Through a Bank Transfer?

This is one of the most common cases.

The victim should immediately preserve:

• sending account details;
• beneficiary IBAN;
• beneficiary name;
• date and exact time;
• currency;
• amount;
• transfer reference;
• SWIFT document;
• transaction description;
• and any instructions from the suspect.

The victim should also contact the sending bank immediately and report the transaction as fraudulent.

Depending on timing and banking circumstances, an attempted recall or fraud alert may be possible.

However, bank notification does not replace a criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint should identify all known bank accounts and request investigation of:

• account-opening information;
• account owner;
• linked telephone;
• IP/device access data where legally obtainable;
• incoming and outgoing transfers;
• cash withdrawals;
• ATM locations;
• onward beneficiaries;
• and relationships among accounts.

Can the Prosecutor Freeze the Fraudster’s Bank Account?

Potentially, but the victim cannot personally “freeze” another person’s bank account merely by making an allegation.

Turkish criminal procedure provides asset-seizure mechanisms.

Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code permits seizure of assets where there are concrete-evidence-based strong grounds of suspicion that:

• the relevant offence was committed;
• and the assets were obtained from that offence.

The provision expressly includes:

• real estate;
• vehicles;
• bank and financial-institution accounts;
• rights and receivables;
• securities;
• company shares;
• safe-deposit contents;
• and other assets.

Fraud under Articles 157 and 158 is expressly included among the offences to which Article 128 may apply.

A victim can therefore ask the prosecutor to investigate whether identifiable criminal proceeds remain in particular accounts and whether Article 128 measures are appropriate.

But the legal requirements must be satisfied.

The complaint itself is not an automatic freeze order.

Who Decides on CMK Article 128 Seizure?

Under Article 128, seizure under this provision is ordered by a judge.

The victim’s lawyer can request that the prosecutor collect the necessary evidence and seek an appropriate judicial seizure order where legal conditions exist.

This is particularly important when the complaint is filed immediately after the transfer.

Can Money Seized in a Fraud Investigation Be Returned to the Victim?

Potentially.

Article 131 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides that property or assets seized under Article 128 can be returned to the injured victim where they belong to the victim and are no longer needed as evidence.

This creates a practical route in some cases where identifiable stolen assets are located and preserved.

However, this rule should not be misunderstood.

If the fraudster has:

• spent the money;
• converted it;
• mixed it with other funds;
• purchased another asset;
• transferred it overseas;
• or transferred it to third parties,

the victim may need additional criminal and civil remedies.

Does Filing a Criminal Complaint Guarantee Recovery of the Money?

No.

This is one of the most important truths for foreign victims.

A criminal complaint can:

• identify offenders;
• lead to evidence collection;
• result in prosecution;
• create the possibility of criminal asset seizure;
• and increase pressure for restitution.

But a criminal conviction does not automatically guarantee that the offender still has assets.

The Ministry of Justice confirms that material and moral damages arising from crime can be pursued through a separate civil compensation action. The modern Criminal Procedure Code does not contain the old “personal claim” mechanism that allowed full private compensation to be litigated within the criminal case.

Foreign victims should therefore think in terms of two parallel objectives:

Objective 1: Criminal responsibility

and

Objective 2: Financial recovery.

They overlap, but they are not identical.

Should a Foreign Fraud Victim Also File a Civil Lawsuit?

Often, yes.

The correct civil case depends on the underlying transaction.

Possible claims include:

• repayment of money;
• unjust enrichment;
• contractual restitution;
• damages;
• title deed cancellation and registration;
• rescission;
• return of deposit;
• investment-loss claims;
• debt collection;
• or tort compensation.

For example:

A foreigner is fraudulently induced to buy fake property.

The criminal complaint may target fraud.

The civil case may seek repayment or title-related relief.

A foreigner pays a fake investment adviser.

The criminal complaint may target aggravated fraud.

The civil case may seek repayment and damages.

A foreigner lends money after false representations.

The criminal investigation may focus on fraud, while enforcement proceedings pursue the debt.

Each case requires separate legal analysis.

Can a Foreign Fraud Victim Request Provisional Attachment in a Civil Case?

Potentially.

Where the victim has a monetary claim and the statutory requirements are satisfied, Turkish enforcement law may allow provisional attachment (ihtiyati haciz).

This can be strategically important where the suspected fraudster still owns:

• real estate;
• bank assets;
• vehicles;
• company shares;
• or receivables.

A criminal seizure and civil provisional attachment are different remedies.

They can have different legal conditions.

A lawyer should assess which mechanism offers the strongest asset protection.

What If the Fraud Involves Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency fraud requires immediate evidence preservation.

The foreign victim should record:

• wallet addresses;
• transaction hashes;
• blockchain network;
• token name;
• date and time;
• exchange used;
• recipient exchange if identifiable;
• deposit address;
• screenshots;
• account identity information;
• conversations;
• website details;
• and any “investment dashboard.”

The victim should contact any regulated exchange involved immediately.

Where funds reached a centralised exchange, authorities may be able to seek information subject to legal procedures.

The complaint should clearly distinguish:

on-chain transaction evidence

from

screens displayed by a fraudulent website.

Many fake investment sites simply show fictitious profits without actually holding the victim’s assets.

What If the Fraudster Says the Victim Must Pay “Tax” to Withdraw Cryptocurrency?

This is a common scam pattern.

A fraudulent platform may show:

• USD 100,000 balance;
• USD 200,000 profit;
• or a successful investment.

Then the victim is told:

“You must pay 10% tax before withdrawal.”

After paying, another fee appears:

“AML verification fee.”

Then:

“Insurance deposit.”

Then:

“Blockchain unlocking charge.”

These repeated advance-fee demands are common indicators of fraud.

A victim should generally stop sending further money and preserve all communications.

What If the Fraud Occurred Through WhatsApp, Instagram or Telegram?

Electronic communication can be important evidence.

The victim should preserve:

• complete conversations;
• usernames;
• profile URLs;
• telephone numbers;
• timestamps;
• voice messages;
• images;
• documents;
• payment instructions;
• account details;
• and profile changes.

Simply taking one screenshot is often insufficient.

Where possible, preserve:

• the original device;
• exported chat history;
• attached files;
• and backup data.

Do not delete the conversation after making screenshots.

What If the Social-Media Account Disappears?

Report the account details anyway.

The fact that the public profile no longer exists does not automatically mean no evidence can be obtained.

The complaint should provide:

• exact username;
• old profile URL;
• phone number;
• screenshots;
• email notifications;
• payment details;
• and any linked account.

Time matters because platform and telecom data can be subject to retention limitations and international evidence procedures.

What If the Fraudster Is Abroad?

A Turkish investigation may still be possible depending on:

• where the offence occurred;
• where the victim was deceived;
• where the loss occurred;
• nationality;
• and Turkish criminal jurisdiction rules.

International cooperation may be needed for:

• foreign bank records;
• foreign platform information;
• suspect identification;
• extradition;
• or evidence abroad.

These cases are generally slower and more complicated.

But the victim should not assume that no complaint can be made merely because the suspect uses a foreign phone number.

What If the Victim Is Abroad After Being Defrauded in Türkiye?

A foreign victim who has returned abroad does not necessarily need to fly back to Türkiye merely to start every legal step.

They can appoint a Turkish lawyer through a properly executed power of attorney and have the complaint filed through counsel.

Article 158 also contains a specific rule allowing complaints to Turkish embassies and consulates for offences committed abroad that must be prosecuted in Türkiye.

However, that statutory consular rule is specifically worded for offences committed abroad and prosecutable in Türkiye.

Accordingly, where the fraud itself was committed in Türkiye but the victim later moved abroad, the safer practical approach is usually to file directly with the Turkish prosecutorial authorities, personally or through Turkish counsel, rather than assuming that Article 158(3) automatically makes every consulate the correct filing office.

Can a Complaint Be Filed Electronically?

Türkiye’s UYAP system provides electronic services for judicial filings.

The Ministry of Justice states that users with the appropriate electronic access can send petitions to Public Prosecutor’s Offices through the UYAP system, and lawyers can submit CBS complaint petitions electronically through the Lawyer Portal.

For foreign victims, practical access depends on their Turkish digital identity and portal capabilities.

A foreign victim outside Türkiye who does not have appropriate electronic access can instead act through Turkish counsel.

What If the Victim Does Not Know the Suspect’s Turkish ID Number?

That is not a reason to delay the complaint.

Provide whatever is known.

For example:

Suspect: unknown full identity

Known information:

• “Mehmet”
• telephone +90…
• IBAN TR…
• Instagram @…
• email…
• company…
• photographed passport copy…
• vehicle plate…

Judicial authorities can investigate the identity.

What If the Bank Account Belongs to Someone Other Than the Person Who Spoke to the Victim?

This is common.

A fraudster may say:

“Send the money to my accountant.”

or:

“Send it to the company.”

or:

“Our payment department uses this account.”

or:

“The bank account belongs to my cousin.”

The complaint should identify both:

• the person who induced the payment;
• and the account holder.

Do not assume they are the same person.

The prosecutor should investigate the relationship between:

• communicator;
• account holder;
• cash withdrawer;
• onward beneficiary;
• and ultimate offender.

This is especially significant after the July 2026 amendment concerning persons whose participation is limited to making payment or financial accounts available for fraud.

Are “Money Mule” Account Holders Criminally Responsible?

Potentially, depending on knowledge, intent and conduct.

A person who knowingly allows criminals to use a bank or cryptocurrency account may incur criminal responsibility.

In February 2026, a Turkish Public Prosecutor’s Office publicly warned that allowing third parties to use or rent bank accounts can result in individuals becoming suspects or defendants in money laundering and aggravated fraud investigations.

But criminal responsibility remains individual.

The prosecutor must determine:

• what the account holder knew;
• what they intended;
• whether they received commission;
• whether they controlled the account;
• and what role they played.

What If Someone Pretended to Be a Police Officer, Prosecutor or Bank Employee?

This is one of the clearest aggravated fraud patterns.

Article 158 expressly covers fraud where a person presents themselves as:

• a public official;
• bank employee;
• insurance employee;
• credit-institution employee;
• or claims a connection with such institutions.

In March 2026, the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced a case involving suspects who presented themselves as bank personnel, obtained verification codes and transferred victims’ funds. The investigation used victim statements, bank-account movements, communication data and digital evidence and resulted in an indictment under Article 158/1-l.

A genuine Turkish police officer, prosecutor or judge will not call a person and instruct them to transfer money to a “safe account.”

What If the Fraudster Pretended to Have Connections with a Government Official?

Article 158 also covers obtaining money by falsely claiming influence or relationships with public officials and promising that a specific official matter will be performed.

This can arise in scams involving:

• residence permits;
• citizenship;
• deportation cancellation;
• criminal investigations;
• government licences;
• public tenders;
• or administrative approvals.

A person saying:

“I know the prosecutor; pay me EUR 20,000 and I will close your criminal file”

may create serious criminal-law issues.

Foreigners should never pay intermediaries based solely on alleged personal relationships with Turkish public officials.

What If the Fraud Involves a Fake Lawyer?

This can be particularly serious.

The victim should preserve:

• lawyer name;
• claimed bar registration;
• office details;
• payment requests;
• power of attorney requests;
• bank account details;
• WhatsApp messages;
• emails;
• and any document bearing a false professional title.

Verify professional identity independently.

If the person is not a lawyer but falsely claims to be one in order to obtain money, the complaint should clearly explain that deception.

If the person is genuinely a lawyer but is alleged to have misused professional trust, different criminal and disciplinary issues may arise depending on facts.

What If a Real Lawyer or Professional Misuses Professional Trust?

Article 158 contains an aggravated form where a self-employed professional commits fraud by abusing trust arising from their profession.

Whether a particular lawyer, accountant, consultant or other professional falls within this provision depends on the facts.

Professional misconduct and criminal fraud are not automatically identical.

The victim must still establish deceptive conduct and unlawful benefit.

What If a Turkish Company Defrauds a Foreigner?

A corporate context can affect criminal classification.

Article 158 includes aggravated fraud committed by:

• merchants;
• company managers;
• or persons acting on behalf of a company

during commercial activities.

A foreign victim should identify:

• company legal name;
• trade registry number;
• registered address;
• managers;
• shareholders where relevant;
• contract signatory;
• account owner;
• invoice issuer;
• and persons who made representations.

Do not file a complaint only against the “company” where identifiable natural persons carried out the conduct.

Criminal liability ordinarily attaches to natural persons, while separate security measures against legal persons may also be relevant under the Turkish Criminal Code in appropriate circumstances.

What If Goods Were Ordered but Never Delivered?

This requires careful distinction between fraud and breach of contract.

Evidence supporting fraud may include:

• seller never possessed the goods;
• fake warehouse photographs;
• forged shipping records;
• seller used several false companies;
• multiple victims;
• seller closed all accounts immediately after payment;
• or evidence that no delivery was ever intended.

Evidence supporting an ordinary commercial dispute may include:

• genuine manufacturing activity;
• partial delivery;
• genuine supply problems;
• ongoing communication;
• and real attempts to perform.

The prosecutor will examine the entire course of dealing.

What If the Foreign Victim Was Defrauded While Buying Property?

Property scams are common high-value cases.

Examples include:

• nonexistent property;
• seller is not owner;
• forged power of attorney;
• fake title deed;
• same apartment sold several times;
• fake development project;
• wrong parcel transferred;
• or purchase money paid to an unauthorised agent.

A criminal complaint may be essential, but property rights often require separate civil measures.

For example:

• title deed cancellation and registration;
• injunction preventing transfer;
• repayment;
• or damages.

A criminal complaint alone does not automatically create title ownership.

What If the Fraudster Is Selling the Property to Someone Else?

Urgent civil protection may be needed.

A foreign buyer with a claim concerning a specific property should consider whether a preliminary injunction is necessary.

If the property is transferred to additional third parties, the dispute may become substantially harder.

This is a good example of why criminal and civil strategy should be coordinated.

What If a Foreigner Is Defrauded by an Estate Agent?

The complaint should identify whether the estate agent:

• had authority to sell;
• collected money personally;
• knew the property was unavailable;
• used fake title documents;
• misrepresented ownership;
• or participated with the seller.

An agent’s ordinary professional negligence is not necessarily criminal fraud.

Intentional deception for financial gain may be.

Administrative and consumer-law complaints may also be available independently.

What If a Foreigner Was Defrauded in a Vehicle Sale?

Possible examples include:

• falsified mileage;
• hidden major accident history;
• fake expert report;
• stolen vehicle;
• forged documentation;
• deliberate concealment of major facts;
• or sale of a vehicle the suspect did not own.

In July 2026, the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced an investigation in which suspects allegedly reduced vehicle mileage, concealed damage histories and used false expert reports to induce buyers to purchase vehicles. The investigation involved 47 victims and aggravated fraud allegations.

This illustrates how deliberate misrepresentation in an apparently ordinary sale can become criminal fraud.

What If the Foreign Victim Is Defrauded Through a Romantic Relationship?

Romance fraud can be legally complicated because defendants often argue that payments were voluntary gifts.

The victim should preserve evidence showing:

• fabricated identity;
• false emergency;
• fake medical need;
• fake business;
• fake marriage plan;
• repeated requests;
• repayment promises;
• other victims;
• and what happened immediately after transfers.

A relationship does not automatically convert fraudulent payments into gifts.

But the prosecution must still distinguish genuine relationship expenses from money obtained through deceptive conduct.

What If the Scam Involves a Fake Investment?

The complaint should identify:

• who offered the investment;
• regulatory claims;
• promised return;
• risk representations;
• documents;
• payment account;
• company;
• platform;
• withdrawal restrictions;
• and whether actual investment activity existed.

A very high promised profit does not alone prove fraud.

But fake trading screens, nonexistent licences, fabricated returns and repeated refusal to permit withdrawal can strongly support a criminal investigation.

What If the Fraudster Promised Guaranteed Profits?

Statements such as:

“30% guaranteed every month”

can be important when combined with other evidence.

But prosecutors will distinguish:

• an actual risky investment that lost money;
• from a fictitious investment where no genuine investment activity existed.

The complaint should therefore explain where the money actually went if known.

What If the Fraudster Claims the Money Was a Loan or Gift?

This is common.

The victim should preserve evidence concerning the purpose of payment.

For example:

• “purchase price” in the bank description;
• signed agreement;
• messages stating repayment;
• investment contract;
• property address;
• invoice;
• or written admission.

The more clearly the purpose was documented at the time of payment, the stronger the response to later explanations.

What Happens After the Criminal Complaint Is Filed?

The complaint is registered and evaluated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The prosecutor may:

• take the victim’s statement;
• request police investigation;
• identify suspects;
• obtain bank records;
• collect digital evidence;
• question witnesses;
• seek search or seizure orders;
• obtain expert reports;
• request foreign evidence;
• and carry out other lawful investigative measures.

Article 160 requires the prosecutor to begin investigating once circumstances indicating a possible offence become known.

Will the Foreign Victim Receive a File Number?

Normally, a prosecutorial investigation receives an investigation file reference.

Where represented, the lawyer can monitor the file through the applicable UYAP mechanisms subject to investigation confidentiality rules.

The victim should keep:

• complaint submission record;
• file number;
• prosecutor’s office;
• and contact/address information

carefully.

Is a Turkish Criminal Investigation Public?

No.

Article 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code states that investigation-stage procedural acts are confidential, subject to statutory exceptions and protection of defence rights.

Victims may have access rights, but the file is not an unrestricted public record.

This can limit what information the prosecutor or police can disclose during an ongoing investigation.

Can the Victim Ask the Prosecutor to Collect Specific Evidence?

Yes.

Article 234 gives the victim the right to request collection of evidence during the investigation.

A good petition may request, for example:

• account statements;
• ATM CCTV;
• exchange data;
• phone subscription records;
• company records;
• trade registry records;
• device examination;
• IP information;
• witness interviews;
• title records;
• vehicle records;
• or other relevant evidence.

The prosecutor determines which requests are legally appropriate.

Should the Victim Wait for the Prosecutor to Discover Everything?

No.

The prosecutor has investigative powers, but the victim should actively preserve and identify evidence.

For example, if an advertisement is still online, save it.

If the fake website still operates, record it.

If bank transfer information is available, obtain full statements.

If a witness exists, provide contact details.

If the suspect has listed property for sale, inform counsel.

A passive complaint containing only:

“I was scammed; please investigate”

is rarely the best strategy for a major financial case.

Can the Victim Add New Evidence Later?

Yes.

New documents can be submitted to the investigation file.

Fraud cases often evolve.

A victim may later discover:

• another bank account;
• another victim;
• a company connection;
• an additional phone;
• or new messages.

Supplementary petitions can be filed.

What If Other Victims Exist?

Inform the prosecutor.

Multiple victims can be highly relevant to proving a fraudulent scheme.

Provide:

• names;
• contact information;
• similar payment accounts;
• common telephone numbers;
• shared website;
• and pattern of deception.

Article 158 also increases punishment where fraud offences are committed by three or more persons together or within an organisation established to commit crimes.

What Is the Difference Between “Mağdur,” “Şikâyetçi” and “Katılan”?

These terms have different procedural meanings.

Mağdur means the victim of the offence.

Şikâyetçi refers to the complainant asserting the complaint.

Katılan is a victim or person harmed by the crime who formally joins the criminal prosecution after the public case begins.

A foreign victim does not automatically become “katılan” merely because a complaint was filed.

Participation should be requested during the court stage.

Can a Foreign Victim Join the Criminal Case?

Yes.

Article 237 of the Criminal Procedure Code permits the victim and persons directly harmed by the offence to join the public prosecution, subject to statutory rules.

A participation request can be made by petition or orally during a hearing for inclusion in the record.

Participation can strengthen procedural rights, including access to certain remedies and appeals.

Why Should the Victim Request Participation?

A formal participant can more effectively:

• follow the trial;
• make evidentiary requests;
• question witnesses through counsel;
• submit legal arguments;
• and exercise appellate rights independently within the statutory framework.

The Ministry of Justice lists participation in the public case as one of the victim’s court-stage rights.

Does the Public Prosecutor Represent the Victim Personally?

No.

The prosecutor represents the public interest and prosecutes crime.

The prosecutor is not the victim’s private lawyer.

This is a crucial distinction.

The victim’s lawyer focuses specifically on:

• victim rights;
• financial recovery strategy;
• evidence requested by the victim;
• participation;
• appeals;
• and related civil proceedings.

What Happens If the Prosecutor Believes There Is Enough Evidence?

Under Article 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code, where the evidence collected at the end of the investigation creates sufficient suspicion that a crime has been committed, the prosecutor prepares an indictment.

The indictment identifies:

• suspect;
• victim;
• offence;
• facts;
• evidence;
• and applicable legal provisions.

After acceptance by the court, the prosecution stage begins.

Which Court Tries Fraud Cases?

According to the Ministry of Justice:

• basic fraud under Article 157 is tried before the Criminal Court of First Instance (Asliye Ceza Mahkemesi);
• aggravated fraud under Article 158 falls within the jurisdiction of the Heavy Criminal Court (Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi).

The victim does not need to choose the trial court at the complaint stage.

The prosecutor determines the legal classification and prepares the indictment for the competent court.

Is Basic Fraud Subject to Reconciliation?

Yes.

Article 157 basic fraud remains within the Turkish criminal reconciliation procedure.

Current Ministry of Justice material issued for 2026 continues to list TCK Article 157 fraud among offences subject to reconciliation.

The Ministry’s 2025 reconciliation statistics show thousands of basic fraud files resolved through reconciliation.

Aggravated fraud under Article 158 is not included merely because Article 157 is.

Is Basic Fraud a Complaint-Dependent Offence?

Generally, no.

This is a subtle but important distinction.

A crime can be prosecuted ex officio and still be included in the reconciliation regime.

The Ministry of Justice specifically states that fraud is among crimes whose investigation is not generally dependent on the victim maintaining a complaint.

Therefore:

“Not complaint-dependent”

and

“subject to reconciliation”

are not contradictory.

What Happens in Reconciliation?

Where a basic fraud file satisfies the statutory requirements and sufficient suspicion exists, it is referred to the reconciliation bureau.

A conciliator may contact:

• suspect;
• victim;
• or their legal representatives.

Possible settlement performance may include:

• repayment;
• compensation;
• or another legally acceptable obligation.

The victim is not required to accept reconciliation merely because it is offered.

Current rules provide that a party normally has seven days after a reconciliation offer to communicate the decision; failure to respond within that framework is treated as rejection.

Should a Foreign Victim Accept Reconciliation?

It depends entirely on the proposed terms.

A victim whose primary objective is recovering money may consider settlement where:

• the full principal is paid;
• payment timing is reliable;
• currency issues are resolved;
• expenses are considered;
• and the settlement is legally enforceable.

A victim should be cautious about accepting vague promises such as:

“I will pay when I can.”

The consequences of a reconciliation agreement can be significant.

Legal review is advisable before accepting substantial settlement terms.

Can the Victim Withdraw the Fraud Complaint?

Fraud is generally prosecuted ex officio, so withdrawal does not necessarily terminate the investigation.

The Ministry of Justice states that where a person is the victim of fraud, the investigation can continue even if the victim later says they no longer complain, because fraud is generally not complaint-dependent.

There are special family-related exceptions under Article 167, which should be examined separately.

What Are the Family-Member Exceptions?

Article 167 contains special rules for certain property offences, including fraud.

For example, the statute provides personal non-punishment rules for offences against certain close relatives and complaint-based reduced punishment for specified other family relationships.

This is a specialised exception.

A foreign victim whose alleged fraudster is:

• spouse;
• former/separated spouse;
• sibling;
• uncle;
• aunt;
• nephew;
• niece;
• or in-law

should obtain case-specific advice rather than relying on the general ex officio rule.

What Is Effective Remorse in Fraud Cases?

Turkish law encourages restitution through effective remorse (etkin pişmanlık).

Article 168 applies to fraud.

If the offender genuinely compensates the victim according to the timing and conditions in the statute, the offender’s punishment can be reduced.

The current framework provides a potentially larger reduction where restitution occurs before prosecution and a lower potential reduction where it occurs after prosecution begins but before judgment. Partial restitution generally requires the victim’s consent for effective-remorse treatment.

This does not mean the victim is required to forgive the offender.

But it creates a significant legal incentive for repayment.

Does Repayment Automatically End the Fraud Case?

No.

Full repayment can affect punishment through effective remorse, but fraud is not generally erased merely because money is repaid.

The exact consequence depends on:

• offence;
• timing;
• reconciliation where applicable;
• and the relevant procedural mechanism.

A victim should therefore distinguish:

getting the money back

from

whether prosecution continues.

What Changed About Effective Remorse in 2026?

The 12th Judicial Package also created transitional provisions for specified persons convicted of fraud before the new Article 158(4) amendment.

For qualifying existing cases involving the newly regulated form of participation through financial accounts, certain convicted persons may benefit from effective-remorse provisions if they fully compensate the victim within the statutory six-month period after court notification.

This is primarily relevant to offender sentencing and older files, but it can create additional opportunities for victims to receive restitution.

What If the Prosecutor Says There Is No Crime?

The prosecutor may issue a decision of no ground for prosecution (kovuşturmaya yer olmadığına dair karar – KYOK) where:

• there is insufficient evidence to create sufficient suspicion;
• or prosecution is legally impossible.

Article 172 regulates this decision.

A foreign victim should not automatically accept a KYOK where important evidence was not obtained or the complaint was incorrectly treated as a civil dispute.

Can a Foreign Victim Object to a KYOK?

Yes.

Current Article 173 allows the person harmed by the crime to challenge a non-prosecution decision.

Following procedural amendments, the current objection period is two weeks from service of the decision. The objection is made to the competent criminal judgeship of peace identified under Article 173.

A KYOK objection should identify:

• missing evidence;
• legal errors;
• contradictions;
• investigative steps not performed;
• and why sufficient suspicion exists.

A generic statement saying:

“I disagree”

is far weaker than a structured legal objection.

What If the Prosecutor Never Investigated the Bank Account?

This can be a strong issue in a KYOK objection.

For example, suppose the complaint included:

• IBAN;
• transfer receipt;
• suspect phone;
• and fake website.

But the file was closed without:

• obtaining beneficiary account records;
• identifying onward transfers;
• or questioning the account owner.

The objection can explain why those measures were material to determining the fraud.

What If the Prosecutor Calls It a “Civil Dispute”?

Then the complaint or objection should focus on evidence of initial deception.

For example:

Weak argument:

“He promised to pay me and did not.”

Stronger argument:

“Before receiving payment, the suspect presented a forged title deed, falsely claimed to be the owner, sent a fake government verification document, directed payment to another person’s account and immediately transferred the funds to cryptocurrency.”

The distinction between contract breach and fraud is often the central question.

Can a Foreign Victim Appeal a Criminal Court Judgment?

If the victim has formally joined the case or otherwise holds the relevant procedural status, appellate rights may be available.

Article 242 provides that the participant may use legal remedies independently of the prosecutor within the statutory framework.

The Ministry of Justice also lists appellate rights among the rights of a victim who has joined the case.

Deadlines must be monitored carefully.

Can the Victim Claim Compensation in the Criminal Court?

Not in the broad way many foreign legal systems permit.

The current Turkish Criminal Procedure Code does not contain the former personal-action system allowing the victim’s entire private damages case to be resolved within the criminal proceeding.

The victim generally needs a separate civil case to claim full material or moral compensation.

This is one of the most important differences foreign clients should understand.

What Damages Can Be Claimed in a Civil Fraud Case?

Depending on circumstances, claims may include:

• transferred principal;
• lost property value;
• transaction expenses;
• interest;
• financing expenses;
• certain consequential losses;
• and, where legal requirements exist, moral damages.

The Ministry of Justice explains that material damages compensate economic loss and that separate civil compensation proceedings are available following criminal conduct.

The correct measure of damages depends on the legal cause of action.

What Is the Limitation Period for a Civil Tort Claim Arising from Fraud?

As a general rule under the Turkish Code of Obligations, tort compensation claims are subject to the applicable statutory limitation framework.

Where the tort also constitutes a criminal offence for which criminal law provides a longer limitation period, that longer period can affect the civil claim under the statutory rules.

The Ministry of Justice’s victim guidance expressly notes this principle.

Because limitation analysis can vary based on:

• contract;
• tort;
• unjust enrichment;
• fraud;
• property law;
• and criminal limitation,

case-specific calculation is important.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Criminal Fraud Complaint?

Because ordinary fraud is generally prosecuted ex officio, it is not normally governed by the standard six-month complaint period applicable to complaint-dependent offences.

Instead, criminal limitation periods apply.

The exact limitation period depends on:

• legal classification;
• punishment range;
• aggravating factors;
• interruption events;
• and offence date.

Foreign victims should nevertheless file immediately.

Waiting because “the limitation period is long” is strategically dangerous.

Why Is Immediate Filing Important Even When Limitation Has Not Expired?

Because evidence disappears.

For example:

A bank may have easier access to recent transactional material.

ATM CCTV can be overwritten.

Websites can disappear.

Social-media accounts can be deleted.

SIM cards can change hands.

Cryptocurrency can move through dozens of wallets.

A suspect can leave Türkiye.

Property can be transferred.

A company can be emptied.

Criminal limitation and evidentiary practicality are two different things.

Can a Foreigner Report Fraud Without a Residence Permit?

Yes.

A person does not need Turkish immigration status in order to be protected as a crime victim.

A tourist who enters Türkiye for three days and is defrauded can complain.

A foreigner who overstayed a visa should not assume that criminal victim rights disappear.

Criminal protection and immigration status are separate legal matters.

Any immigration issue should nevertheless be addressed independently.

Can Making a Fraud Complaint Affect the Foreigner’s Residence Permit?

Being a victim and reporting a crime does not, by itself, create wrongdoing by the victim.

The victim’s immigration status is a separate issue.

If the same facts reveal independent immigration violations, those may require separate analysis.

But foreign victims should not be discouraged from reporting serious fraud merely because they are not Turkish citizens.

What Identification Does the Foreign Victim Need?

Depending on the situation, useful identification includes:

• passport;
• foreigner identification number, if any;
• Turkish tax number, if relevant;
• residence card, if any;
• current address;
• telephone;
• email.

A tourist without a Turkish identification number can still report a crime.

What If the Victim Lost Their Passport to the Fraudster?

This can create separate offences and identity-theft risks.

The victim should report:

• possession of passport;
• copies made;
• signature samples;
• banking documents;
• SIM cards;
• and any possibility that the suspect may use the identity for further fraud.

The foreign person should also contact the relevant consular authorities concerning the passport itself.

Can a Foreign Company Be the Victim of Fraud?

Yes.

A foreign company can suffer economic loss and submit a complaint through its authorised representatives.

The complaint should establish:

• corporate identity;
• representative authority;
• transaction documents;
• bank payments;
• and how the fraudulent conduct caused company loss.

Power-of-attorney and foreign corporate documents may need proper authentication and Turkish translation.

What If the Fraud Amount Is Very Large?

The size of the loss does not change the basic right to complain.

But large fraud files often require a broader strategy.

For example, EUR 2 million fraud may justify immediate analysis of:

• CMK 128 seizure;
• company shares;
• property;
• multiple bank accounts;
• foreign transfers;
• cryptocurrency;
• provisional attachment;
• civil proceedings;
• and international evidence preservation.

The complaint should identify urgency explicitly.

Can the Victim Ask for the Suspect to Be Arrested?

A victim can describe facts showing:

• flight risk;
• evidence tampering;
• continued offending;
• or other relevant circumstances.

But arrest and detention are judicial protective measures governed by statutory requirements.

The victim does not have a right to demand detention merely because the loss is large.

The prosecutor and judge make that decision.

Should the Complaint Ask for “All Suspects to Be Arrested”?

A professionally drafted complaint should avoid unnecessary formulaic demands.

More useful requests include:

• identification of suspects;
• preservation of bank records;
• seizure of criminal proceeds where legal conditions exist;
• digital examination;
• and prosecution.

If particular facts support a detention measure, they can be explained.

Can the Victim Secretly Record the Fraudster?

Evidence law concerning secret recordings is highly fact-specific.

A victim should not assume that all private conversations can lawfully be recorded simply because they may become useful evidence.

Where there is an ongoing crime or no realistic alternative method of preserving evidence, Turkish case law may treat particular circumstances differently, but this requires specialist analysis.

Do not create new privacy or communications-law problems while collecting fraud evidence.

Existing messages and legally obtained records are generally safer.

Should the Victim Confront the Fraudster Before Filing?

Not necessarily.

Confrontation can:

• alert the suspect;
• cause evidence deletion;
• accelerate asset transfer;
• or cause the suspect to flee.

In other cases, written communication may obtain useful admissions.

The strategy should depend on:

• urgency;
• asset position;
• safety;
• and evidence.

For a large fraud, legal advice before confrontation is sensible.

Should the Victim Accept a Partial Refund?

A partial refund may be commercially beneficial, but the victim should document:

• amount;
• currency;
• remaining balance;
• whether payment constitutes settlement;
• and whether any waiver is being signed.

Do not accidentally sign a full release in exchange for a small partial payment.

Does a Partial Refund Help Prove Fraud?

It can sometimes be relevant, but it does not automatically prove the offence.

The suspect may argue that payment reflects a civil debt.

The victim should preserve the explanation accompanying the refund.

For example:

“I am returning the first EUR 20,000 I took from you.”

may have evidentiary significance.

What If the Fraudster Offers Full Repayment in Exchange for Withdrawing the Complaint?

This should be analysed carefully.

Because fraud is generally prosecuted ex officio, withdrawal may not terminate the criminal case.

For basic fraud subject to reconciliation, a formal reconciliation agreement may provide a structured mechanism.

For aggravated fraud, repayment can affect effective-remorse sentencing but does not necessarily end prosecution.

The victim should not sign misleading statements saying:

“No fraud ever occurred”

if that is not true merely as part of repayment negotiations.

Can the Victim Receive Money Through the Reconciliation Process?

Yes.

Reconciliation can include financial performance.

For many fraud victims, this can be a practical recovery mechanism where the offence is basic fraud under Article 157.

But the agreement should be financially realistic.

If a suspect owes EUR 100,000 and offers:

“EUR 5,000 now and maybe the rest later,”

the legal consequences should be understood before acceptance.

Can Aggravated Fraud Be Reconciled?

Article 158 aggravated fraud is not simply included because basic fraud is.

Current Ministry of Justice material specifically lists Article 157 fraud within reconciliation.

A victim of online bank impersonation, for example, should not assume that the case will necessarily enter reconciliation.

What If the Fraudster Uses a Turkish Bank Account but Lives Abroad?

The bank account remains an important evidentiary and asset-tracing link.

The complaint should request identification of:

• account owner;
• account opening;
• transaction flow;
• withdrawal method;
• and onward transfers.

Even if the mastermind is abroad, local participants may be identifiable.

What If Money Was Immediately Withdrawn in Cash?

ATM or branch records may be important.

Potential evidence includes:

• withdrawal time;
• branch;
• ATM;
• card used;
• device/account login;
• and CCTV where available.

This is another reason prompt reporting matters.

What If the Funds Were Transferred to Several Accounts?

List every account.

Create a payment table containing:

• date;
• sender;
• recipient;
• IBAN;
• currency;
• amount;
• explanation;
• and related communication.

This helps investigators see the financial chain.

What If the Victim Sent Money to a Company but Spoke to an Individual?

Identify both.

The individual may have acted:

• personally;
• as company manager;
• as employee;
• or as part of a scheme.

Corporate records can reveal authority and relationships.

What If the Suspect Claims to Be Only an Employee?

That defence requires investigation.

The prosecutor should examine:

• who gave instructions;
• who controlled the bank account;
• who received benefit;
• and the employee’s knowledge and intent.

Can the Foreign Victim Request Investigation of Company Managers?

Yes, if facts justify it.

Do not simply list every shareholder without evidence.

Explain each person’s alleged role.

A complaint naming twenty people with no factual differentiation can weaken clarity.

How Should Screenshots Be Presented?

Screenshots should ideally show:

• full sender/recipient identity;
• date;
• time;
• surrounding context;
• and source application.

Do not crop so aggressively that authenticity becomes impossible to assess.

Number them:

Evidence 1 – WhatsApp conversation

Evidence 2 – Bank transfer

Evidence 3 – Fake title deed

and reference those numbers in the factual narrative.

Should Evidence Be Translated into Turkish?

Important foreign-language evidence may need Turkish translation for efficient judicial use.

A lawyer can identify which documents require sworn translation.

Do not translate only selected favourable lines if the full context matters.

Can the Prosecutor Obtain Foreign Bank Evidence?

Potentially, through international judicial cooperation where legal requirements exist.

This can take time.

The victim should provide:

• bank name;
• country;
• account number;
• SWIFT;
• amount;
• and reasons showing relevance.

Can Turkish Authorities Trace Cryptocurrency Abroad?

Depending on the platform and jurisdiction, international cooperation may be possible.

Blockchain transactions themselves may remain publicly traceable, but linking a wallet to a person can require:

• exchange KYC;
• IP data;
• bank funding records;
• and other evidence.

No lawyer can honestly guarantee that all cryptocurrency can be recovered.

What If the Fraudster Used a Decentralised Wallet?

Recovery is more difficult where:

• there is no central platform;
• private keys are controlled directly by the offender;
• and funds are moved through complex chains.

Nevertheless, transaction tracing can still support identification and evidentiary analysis.

Can the Victim Request a Search of the Suspect’s Phone or Computer?

The victim can explain why digital devices contain relevant evidence and request investigation.

Search, seizure and digital examination are governed by criminal-procedure rules and require the appropriate legal decisions.

What If the Victim’s Own Phone Contains the Only Evidence?

Do not factory reset it.

Do not delete chats.

Maintain backups.

Where necessary, the device can be examined or evidence exported appropriately.

What If a Fake Website Is Still Online?

Preserve:

• URL;
• screenshots;
• domain;
• page source where professionally captured;
• payment instructions;
• login screens;
• terms;
• contact information;
• and dates.

The victim may also report the website to relevant platforms or service providers, but evidentiary preservation should occur first.

What If the Fraudster Deletes WhatsApp Messages?

The victim should preserve what remains.

Depending on device and platform circumstances, some local data may remain accessible.

Do not install questionable “recovery” software that may alter evidence.

What If the Victim Has Only Voice Calls?

Create a detailed written chronology:

• date;
• number;
• duration;
• what was said;
• who was present.

Call-detail records may establish communication even where content was not recorded.

Witnesses who heard calls may also be relevant.

Are Witnesses Useful in Fraud Cases?

Yes.

Witnesses may establish:

• false representations;
• meetings;
• payment instructions;
• admissions;
• or the suspect’s role.

Provide full names and contact information.

What If the Witness Is Abroad?

Tell the prosecutor.

International evidence or remote procedures may be considered depending on the case.

What If the Fraud Occurred in English?

That does not prevent prosecution.

English messages can be translated.

The key issue is their evidentiary relevance and authenticity.

Can the Victim Obtain a Copy of Their Statement?

Victim rights include requesting copies from the prosecutor subject to investigation secrecy and purpose limitations.

Keep a complete personal file.

What If the Victim Changes Address?

Update the judicial authorities.

Failure to receive:

• KYOK;
• reconciliation offer;
• hearing notice;
• or judgment

can cause procedural complications.

The Ministry of Justice emphasises the importance of keeping address information current to follow the proceedings effectively.

Can a Foreign Victim Give an Address Abroad?

Yes, but international service can be slower.

Where represented, lawyer notification can simplify management of the Turkish file.

Can the Foreign Victim Participate Through a Lawyer Without Attending Every Hearing?

In many cases, a lawyer can represent the participant’s procedural interests.

However, the court may still require the victim’s personal testimony if necessary.

The exact approach depends on the evidence and court.

Can the Victim Testify Through an Interpreter?

Yes.

Article 202 protects victims who do not know sufficient Turkish during both investigation and trial.

Can the Victim Testify Remotely from Abroad?

Remote or international judicial-assistance mechanisms may be available depending on the court and circumstances.

This is not automatic.

The lawyer should ask the relevant judicial authority based on the file.

Should a Foreign Victim Leave Türkiye Before Giving a Statement?

If departure is imminent and a major fraud has occurred, it may be practical to make the complaint and initial statement before leaving.

This can facilitate:

• interpreter appointment;
• identity confirmation;
• and early investigative requests.

But departure does not extinguish rights.

What If the Victim Was Defrauded at an Airport or Hotel?

The complaint can still be filed at the nearest law-enforcement authority or prosecutor.

Preserve:

• hotel records;
• CCTV information;
• taxi data;
• payment receipts;
• reservation data;
• and witness information.

What If the Fraudster Is a Tourist Too?

Turkish criminal jurisdiction may still apply where the offence occurred in Türkiye.

Rapid reporting becomes especially important because the suspect may leave the country.

What If the Fraudster Leaves Türkiye?

The investigation can continue.

Depending on seriousness and legal conditions, international measures may eventually be considered.

However, extradition and international tracing are complex and not guaranteed.

Does the Victim Have to Pay a Fee to File a Criminal Complaint?

A criminal complaint itself is not treated like filing an ordinary civil lawsuit with proportional court fees.

The victim may incur separate costs for:

• private lawyer;
• translation of private documents;
• expert work;
• or civil proceedings.

Court-appointed interpretation for a victim who does not know Turkish is borne by the State under CMK rules.

Does the Victim Need a Notarised Power of Attorney for a Lawyer?

A lawyer representing a foreign victim will generally need a valid power of attorney for full representation.

Where executed abroad, authentication may involve:

• Turkish consulate;
• apostille;
• legalisation;
• and sworn translation,

depending on the country and document.

The exact requirements should be confirmed before issuance.

Can the Complaint Be Filed Before the Power of Attorney Arrives?

A victim can personally complain without a lawyer.

In urgent situations, practical strategy can be developed so that evidence is preserved immediately while representation documentation is completed.

What If the Victim Only Wants Their Money Back and Does Not Care About Punishment?

Criminal law is still not merely a private debt-collection service.

If genuine fraud occurred, the offence concerns public justice as well.

But the victim can prioritise restitution in:

• reconciliation;
• settlement discussions;
• effective-remorse negotiations;
• civil recovery;
• and asset tracing.

A lawyer should coordinate these objectives.

Can a Victim “Sell” or “Withdraw” the Criminal Case?

No in the ordinary sense.

The prosecutor controls the public criminal case.

The victim’s wishes matter but do not always determine whether prosecution continues.

What Happens If Full Damage Is Repaid Before Prosecution?

Effective-remorse provisions can substantially reduce the offender’s sentence where statutory conditions exist.

This can create leverage for restitution.

What Happens If Repayment Occurs During the Trial?

Article 168 also provides for a possible reduction where effective remorse occurs after prosecution begins but before judgment.

Again, the victim is not required to pretend the crime did not occur.

Does Partial Repayment Require the Victim’s Consent for Effective Remorse?

Generally yes.

Article 168 requires victim consent for application of effective remorse based on partial restitution.

This gives the victim meaningful leverage where the suspect offers only part of the loss.

What If the Fraudster Has No Assets?

A criminal conviction may still be obtained, but financial recovery can be difficult.

The victim should investigate:

• property;
• company shares;
• vehicles;
• receivables;
• foreign assets;
• and transfers to others.

Civil avoidance or recovery claims may be necessary where assets were moved improperly.

Can Assets Transferred to Relatives Be Recovered?

Potentially, depending on the legal mechanism and facts.

The criminal investigation may examine whether assets represent proceeds of crime.

Separately, civil/enforcement law may provide remedies against fraudulent transfers to defeat creditors.

These are distinct procedures.

Can a Criminal Court Order Confiscation?

Turkish criminal law contains confiscation rules for criminal proceeds and instrumentalities.

However, confiscation should be distinguished from returning identifiable victim property.

The victim’s proprietary rights should be asserted clearly.

Why Is Asset Tracing More Important Than the Prison Sentence for Many Victims?

Because a ten-year prison sentence does not itself put EUR 500,000 back into the victim’s account.

For financial crime, successful representation often requires simultaneous attention to:

• criminal liability;
• asset identification;
• asset preservation;
• civil claim;
• enforcement;
• and settlement.

What If a Foreign Victim Was Defrauded of Cash?

Cash cases are more difficult because there may be no bank trail.

Evidence may include:

• receipt;
• witnesses;
• CCTV;
• withdrawal records;
• messages acknowledging receipt;
• audio/video lawfully obtained;
• contract;
• and suspect admission.

The complaint should explain where, when and how cash was delivered.

What If the Fraudster Denies Receiving Cash?

Bank withdrawal shortly before the meeting may support the chronology but does not alone prove delivery.

Witnesses and written acknowledgements become particularly important.

Should Large Payments Ever Be Made in Cash?

From an evidentiary perspective, traceable bank payments are far safer.

For future transactions, payment descriptions should clearly identify purpose.

What If the Fraudster Gave a Promissory Note?

The note can support the debt claim.

But the existence of a negotiable instrument does not automatically prove or disprove criminal fraud.

The circumstances surrounding issuance remain relevant.

Civil enforcement on the instrument may proceed separately.

Does Filing a Criminal Complaint Stop Limitation in a Civil Claim?

Do not assume so.

Civil limitation rules and criminal procedures are separate.

A victim should calculate civil deadlines independently.

Does Filing a Civil Lawsuit Stop the Criminal Investigation?

No.

Both proceedings can continue.

A criminal court may consider issues relevant to the civil dispute, and vice versa, but neither automatically replaces the other.

Should a Fraud Victim Start Enforcement Proceedings Too?

Potentially.

If there is a clear debt acknowledgment, contract or negotiable instrument, enforcement can provide an additional collection route.

The Ministry of Justice specifically warns fraud victims that filing a criminal complaint does not automatically suspend or replace separate enforcement proceedings.

What If the Suspect Files an Enforcement Proceeding Against the Victim Using Fake Documents?

This can happen in sophisticated scams.

The victim must challenge the enforcement proceeding separately and promptly.

The criminal complaint does not automatically suspend it.

Can Forgery Be Added to the Complaint?

If documents appear forged, explain the facts and submit copies.

Potential related offences may include:

• private-document forgery;
• official-document forgery;
• use of forged documents;
• or computer crimes.

The prosecutor determines classification.

What If a Signature Was Forged?

Request examination of original documents.

Possible evidence includes:

• handwriting samples;
• notary documents;
• passport signatures;
• banking signatures;
• and forensic examination.

Can a Fake Power of Attorney Be Investigated?

Yes.

Provide:

• notary information;
• document number;
• date;
• and how it was used.

The prosecutor can investigate authenticity.

What If a Fake Turkish Government Document Was Used?

Submit the document.

Do not assume that a professional-looking QR code or seal is genuine.

The relevant public institution can verify authenticity.

What If a Fraudster Uses a Real Company’s Name?

The legitimate company may itself be a victim of impersonation.

Preserve:

• fake domain;
• email;
• invoice;
• account information;
• and comparison with official corporate details.

Business Email Compromise: What If an Invoice Bank Account Was Secretly Changed?

This is increasingly common.

A foreign company receives an email apparently from a Turkish supplier:

“Our bank account has changed.”

The company transfers EUR 250,000.

The supplier later says the email was fake.

Immediately preserve:

• full email headers;
• original email files;
• prior correspondence;
• bank details;
• domain variations;
• IT logs;
• and timing.

This may involve:

• fraud;
• unauthorised access;
• and cybercrime.

What If the Email Was Sent from the Real Supplier’s Compromised Account?

That creates additional technical and potential civil-liability questions.

The criminal investigation should examine compromise of the email account.

Civil allocation of loss between parties may require separate analysis.

Should the Victim Report Cyberfraud to Cybercrime Police?

The complaint can be made to police or prosecutor.

Cybercrime units may then carry out technical investigation.

For complex cases, the written complaint should clearly identify why digital evidence must be preserved urgently.

What If the Victim Is Contacted by “Recovery Agents” After the Scam?

Be extremely careful.

Fraud victims are often targeted a second time.

A person may claim:

“We found your cryptocurrency. Pay us 10% and we will recover it.”

or:

“We are working with Turkish police.”

Verify:

• professional identity;
• company;
• licence;
• lawyer registration;
• and legal authority.

Do not give wallet seed phrases or banking passwords.

Can a Turkish Lawyer Guarantee Recovery?

No responsible lawyer can guarantee that stolen funds will be recovered.

Recovery depends on:

• asset location;
• evidence;
• timing;
• offender identity;
• insolvency;
• third-party rights;
• and international cooperation.

A lawyer can explain legal options and improve the strategy, but cannot guarantee an outcome.

What Information Should Be Given to a Lawyer at the First Meeting?

Prepare:

• one-page chronology;
• total loss;
• currencies;
• payment table;
• suspect list;
• bank accounts;
• communications;
• contracts;
• police/prosecutor documents;
• and current status.

This allows rapid analysis.

A Practical Evidence Checklist for Foreign Fraud Victims

Before filing, organise:

1. Passport/identity.
2. Contact address.
3. Suspect details.
4. Complete chronology.
5. Bank transfers.
6. SWIFT confirmations.
7. Credit-card records.
8. Cryptocurrency transaction hashes.
9. Wallet addresses.
10. WhatsApp conversations.
11. Telegram messages.
12. Emails.
13. Call records.
14. Social-media screenshots.
15. Advertisements.
16. Contracts.
17. Invoices.
18. Receipts.
19. Property documents.
20. Company documents.
21. Photographs.
22. Witness details.
23. Demand/refund communications.
24. Any other victim information.
25. Evidence suggesting urgent asset transfer.

Model Structure of a Strong Fraud Complaint

A well-structured complaint can use the following logic:

1. Identity and Background

Explain who the victim is and why they interacted with the suspect.

2. Initial Representation

What exactly did the suspect claim?

3. Why the Statement Was False

Explain objective falsity.

4. Victim’s Reliance

Why did the victim trust it?

5. Payment or Property Transfer

List date, currency, amount and account.

6. Events After Payment

What happened?

7. Evidence of Original Fraudulent Intent

Fake documents, multiple victims, disappearance, immediate onward transfers, etc.

8. Current Asset Risk

Any bank accounts, property, company, cryptocurrency or transfer concerns.

9. Evidence Requests

Specific investigative steps.

10. Legal Request

Investigation and prosecution according to law.

Practical Scenario 1: Fake Apartment Sale

A foreign buyer finds a luxury apartment online.

The suspect presents:

• fake title deed;
• fake owner ID;
• fake estate-agent documents.

The foreigner transfers EUR 200,000.

The suspect disappears.

The real owner never offered the apartment for sale.

This is far more than an ordinary contractual breach.

The complaint should include:

• advertisement;
• fake title;
• bank transfer;
• suspect numbers;
• real owner confirmation;
• and request for investigation of beneficiary accounts.

If the money remains traceable, urgent asset measures should be considered.

Practical Scenario 2: Fake Bank Employee

A foreign resident receives a call:

“We are from your bank. Your account is under attack.”

The caller obtains an SMS code.

Funds are transferred.

This pattern can fall within aggravated fraud involving impersonation of bank personnel.

A similar organised scheme was prosecuted in Istanbul in 2026 under Article 158/1-l.

Immediately:

• contact bank;
• block access;
• change credentials;
• preserve numbers/messages;
• file complaint.

Practical Scenario 3: Cryptocurrency Investment Scam

A foreigner joins a Telegram group.

The “adviser” directs cryptocurrency to a wallet.

A website shows profits.

Withdrawal is refused unless the victim pays an additional “tax.”

The victim should stop further transfers, preserve wallet and transaction data and file a criminal complaint.

The complaint should identify the exact transaction hashes.

Practical Scenario 4: Fake Citizenship Consultant

A person says:

“I have connections at the Ministry. Give me USD 80,000 and I guarantee Turkish citizenship without the ordinary conditions.”

The foreign victim pays.

No legitimate application exists.

The suspect disappears.

The alleged government connections and false promises may support aggravated fraud analysis depending on the evidence.

Practical Scenario 5: Company Investment Fraud

A company manager tells a foreign investor:

“Your EUR 500,000 will purchase machinery for our factory.”

No factory exists.

Invoices are fake.

Money is distributed among personal accounts.

The complaint should identify:

• company;
• managers;
• fake documentation;
• transfers;
• and ultimate beneficiaries.

Commercial-activity aggravated fraud may be relevant.

Practical Scenario 6: Genuine Business Failure

A foreign investor gives EUR 500,000 to a real company.

The company genuinely purchases equipment.

The business later fails.

The money is lost.

This does not automatically constitute fraud merely because the investment was unsuccessful.

This scenario illustrates why evidence of deception at the time of investment is critical.

Practical Scenario 7: Romance Scam

A person tells a foreigner that a family member urgently needs surgery.

Fake hospital documents are sent.

EUR 40,000 is transferred.

The hospital confirms that the document is fake.

The suspect made identical requests to several victims.

These facts may strongly support fraud.

Practical Scenario 8: Vehicle Mileage Fraud

A foreign buyer purchases a low-mileage vehicle.

The seller deliberately manipulated the mileage and provided a fake expert report.

A recent 2026 Turkish prosecutor investigation involved similar systematic conduct affecting 47 victims.

Criminal and consumer/civil remedies may both be relevant.

Practical Scenario 9: Fake Lawyer

A foreigner is told that a “lawyer” can remove a deportation ban for EUR 20,000.

The person is not registered as a lawyer and sends fake court documents.

The victim transfers money.

A complaint should include professional identity verification, fake documents and bank evidence.

Practical Scenario 10: Fraudulent Debt Collection

A caller says:

“You owe the Turkish government TRY 200,000. Pay today or you will be arrested.”

The caller provides a private IBAN.

Turkish authorities do not collect criminal “settlements” through private telephone instructions in this manner.

Such conduct can support aggravated fraud analysis.

Common Mistakes Foreign Victims Make

The most frequent mistakes are:

Waiting too long

Evidence and assets disappear.

Sending more money

Scammers frequently demand another “fee” after the first payment.

Deleting chats

Never delete the original evidence.

Filing only one screenshot

Provide the full context.

Calling it fraud without explaining deception

The complaint must distinguish criminal fraud from a civil debt.

Assuming the bank will recover everything

Bank recall is not guaranteed.

Filing only a criminal complaint where civil protection is needed

Property injunction, enforcement or damages may require separate proceedings.

Signing documents in Turkish without translation

Know what you are signing.

Accepting a vague settlement

Document repayment terms.

Ignoring KYOK deadlines

The current objection period is short.

What Should Be Done on Day One?

Immediately:

• stop further payments;
• preserve all electronic evidence;
• contact bank/payment provider;
• change compromised passwords;
• record beneficiary details;
• prepare chronology;
• identify urgent asset risk;
• contact Turkish counsel where the loss is substantial;
• and file the complaint.

What Should Be Done During the First Week?

The victim or lawyer should:

• obtain complaint file number;
• submit missing evidence;
• identify additional accounts;
• provide witness information;
• request urgent investigative steps;
• assess civil remedies;
• and monitor whether the suspect is disposing of property.

What Should Be Done During the Investigation?

Follow the file actively.

Provide supplemental evidence.

Respond to judicial requests.

Keep address information current.

Review whether important investigative steps have been omitted.

If the prosecutor closes the file, calculate the Article 173 objection deadline immediately.

What Should Be Done When an Indictment Is Filed?

Review:

• offence classification;
• suspects included;
• financial loss;
• evidence;
• and missing participants.

Request to join the public prosecution.

Follow hearing dates.

Preserve civil rights.

What Should Be Done If the Suspect Offers Repayment?

Analyse:

• total amount;
• currency;
• interest;
• payment date;
• security;
• legal effect;
• and whether the proposal is linked to reconciliation or effective remorse.

Do not sign a broad waiver without understanding it.

What Should Be Done After Conviction?

A conviction can support further financial recovery but does not automatically create cash.

Continue:

• enforcement;
• civil judgment collection;
• asset tracing;
• and any restitution procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner report fraud in Türkiye?

Yes.

Do I need Turkish citizenship?

No.

Do I need a residence permit?

No.

Do I need to speak Turkish?

No. Interpreter protection exists under CMK Article 202.

Do I need a lawyer?

Not simply to file a complaint, but representation may be highly advisable in substantial or complex cases.

Where do I complain?

The Public Prosecutor’s Office or law enforcement.

Can I go to the police?

Yes.

Can I complain orally?

Yes. The complaint can be oral and recorded officially.

What if I do not know the suspect’s name?

File against unknown suspect(s) and provide all identifiers.

What if I only know the IBAN?

Provide the IBAN, bank, transaction and communications.

Will the bank account automatically be frozen?

No. Judicial conditions for seizure must be satisfied.

Can fraud proceeds in bank accounts be seized?

Potentially, under CMK Article 128 where statutory requirements exist. Fraud is among the listed offences.

Can seized money be returned to me?

Potentially, if the seized asset belongs to the victim and is no longer needed as evidence.

Does a complaint guarantee repayment?

No.

Can I sue separately for damages?

Yes.

Can I recover moral damages?

Potentially where civil-law requirements exist.

Is ordinary fraud subject to reconciliation?

Yes, TCK Article 157 remains within reconciliation.

Is aggravated fraud subject to the same reconciliation rule?

No, Article 158 is not automatically included.

Is fraud complaint-dependent?

Generally no.

If I withdraw my complaint, does the case end?

Generally not automatically.

Can repayment reduce the offender’s sentence?

Yes, effective-remorse rules may apply.

What if only part of my loss is repaid?

Victim consent is relevant to partial restitution under the effective-remorse provision.

What if the prosecutor closes my file?

A KYOK can generally be challenged.

How long do I have to challenge a KYOK?

The current Article 173 period is two weeks from service.

What court hears ordinary fraud?

Criminal Court of First Instance.

What court hears aggravated fraud?

Heavy Criminal Court.

Can I join the criminal case?

Yes.

Can my lawyer appeal?

Procedural rights depend on participation and relevant status.

Can I file from abroad?

You may act through Turkish counsel; the specific consular complaint route in CMK 158(3) concerns crimes committed abroad that must be prosecuted in Türkiye.

Can a Turkish lawyer file electronically?

Yes, UYAP Lawyer Portal supports submission of criminal complaint petitions to Public Prosecutors’ Offices.

Can I complain about cryptocurrency fraud?

Yes.

Can cryptocurrency be recovered?

Sometimes, but recovery depends on tracing, platform cooperation, control of wallets and other facts.

What if I sent money to a money mule?

The account holder’s role must be investigated separately.

Did Turkish law change in 2026 regarding mule accounts?

Yes. The 12th Judicial Package added Article 158(4), creating a sentence reduction in a specific form of participation limited to providing financial-account/payment means for fraud.

Does that mean mule account holders have no criminal responsibility?

No. The amendment concerns sentencing in the specified circumstances, not automatic immunity.

Can the fraudster avoid punishment by returning my money?

Not automatically.

Can I accept money and still maintain that I was defrauded?

Receiving restitution does not require making a false statement. Its legal consequences should be considered carefully.

How a Turkish Fraud Lawyer Can Assist a Foreign Victim

Legal representation can involve much more than drafting a one-page complaint.

A fraud lawyer may:

• reconstruct the transaction;
• classify the offence;
• prepare a detailed chronology;
• organise digital evidence;
• identify suspect accounts;
• submit the complaint;
• attend the victim’s statement;
• arrange interpretation;
• request bank investigation;
• request digital evidence;
• request asset-preservation measures;
• follow the prosecutor file;
• submit supplementary petitions;
• coordinate with cybercrime police;
• identify civil claims;
• seek provisional attachment where appropriate;
• challenge a KYOK;
• request participation after indictment;
• attend criminal hearings;
• negotiate restitution;
• and coordinate enforcement after judgment.

For foreign clients, representation also solves practical problems involving:

• language;
• distance;
• Turkish procedural documents;
• address management;
• and court monitoring.

A Strategic Principle: Do Not Confuse Punishment with Recovery

The best fraud strategy usually has two tracks.

Criminal Track

Goal:

• identify offender;
• preserve evidence;
• prosecute crime;
• trace proceeds;
• obtain lawful criminal protective measures.

Financial Recovery Track

Goal:

• locate assets;
• preserve property;
• establish debt or damages;
• obtain civil judgment or enforceable settlement;
• and execute against assets.

In some cases, the two tracks intersect through:

• CMK Article 128 seizure;
• effective remorse;
• reconciliation;
• restitution of seized property.

But they remain distinct.

Why Foreign Victims Should Not Wait for the Criminal Case Before Starting Civil Recovery

A criminal investigation can take time.

During that period:

• property values change;
• assets are transferred;
• limitation periods continue;
• companies become insolvent;
• and other creditors may obtain priority.

Waiting for a final criminal conviction before taking any civil action may be strategically disastrous.

Is a Criminal Conviction Necessary Before Filing a Civil Fraud Claim?

Generally no.

Civil and criminal liability are separate.

A civil court can examine the facts under the applicable evidentiary rules.

The optimal sequence depends on the case.

Can a Civil Court Wait for the Criminal Case?

In some cases, the civil court may treat criminal findings as relevant or wait on a preliminary issue.

This is case-specific.

Do not assume that the civil action must always wait.

What About Foreign Judgments or Contracts?

If the fraud involves:

• foreign contract;
• foreign company;
• foreign judgment;
• or arbitration,

private international law issues may arise.

The existence of a Turkish criminal offence remains a separate question.

Does a Foreign Victim Have to Deposit Security to File a Criminal Complaint?

A criminal complaint itself is not the same as a civil lawsuit or enforcement proceeding by a foreign claimant.

Different security rules may become relevant if the foreign victim later files a civil action or enforcement proceeding.

This is another reason to distinguish criminal and civil procedures.

What If the Fraud Involves Both Turkish and Foreign Victims?

The investigation can include multiple victims.

Shared evidence can help demonstrate a pattern.

Victims should identify common:

• bank accounts;
• phone numbers;
• websites;
• companies;
• and suspects.

Can Foreign Victims Coordinate?

Yes, but personal data and investigation confidentiality should be respected.

A lawyer can coordinate evidence lawfully without compromising the file.

What If Media Coverage Exists?

News reports can be attached as contextual information but should not replace primary evidence.

The prosecutor must investigate facts, not media allegations.

Should a Victim Post Everything on Social Media?

Usually caution is advisable.

Public accusations can:

• alert suspects;
• prejudice evidence preservation;
• create defamation disputes;
• expose personal data;
• or violate investigation confidentiality.

Legal action should come first.

What If the Fraudster Threatens the Victim After the Complaint?

Preserve all threats and report them immediately.

Threats may constitute separate offences and may affect protective-measure assessment.

What If the Fraudster Offers Bribes to Withdraw the Complaint?

A lawful repayment offer is not the same as an unlawful bribe or coercion.

Document all communication.

If threats or unlawful pressure occur, report them.

What If the Fraudster Says “I Know the Prosecutor; Your Complaint Will Disappear”?

Preserve that statement.

Claims of influence over public officials can themselves be relevant evidence, particularly where used as part of deception or intimidation.

What If the Suspect Is a Public Official?

Different investigation procedures can apply depending on the alleged offence and official status.

However, foreign victim status does not remove the right to report criminal conduct.

What If the Victim Was Personally Negligent?

A victim’s poor judgment does not automatically legalise fraud.

For example, believing an unrealistic story does not necessarily absolve the offender.

The legal question is whether the defendant used deceptive conduct satisfying the offence.

Civil damages may separately involve contributory-fault considerations depending on the claim.

Is a Scam Still Fraud If the Victim Should Have Been More Careful?

Potentially yes.

Fraud law does not protect only extremely sophisticated victims.

However, the nature of the alleged deception matters.

Courts examine whether conduct qualifies as legally sufficient deception.

What If the Victim Did Not Read the Contract?

The existence of a signed contract can complicate the case but does not automatically defeat fraud.

If the suspect:

• falsified material facts;
• concealed crucial information;
• used fake documents;
• or misrepresented the very nature of the transaction,

criminal fraud may still be possible depending on evidence.

Can Contractual Disclaimer Clauses Protect a Fraudster?

A contractual clause cannot transform intentional criminal deception into lawful conduct.

But contractual language may be relevant when determining what was actually represented.

What If the Victim Signed “I Have No Claims”?

A later waiver can create civil evidentiary issues.

It does not necessarily eliminate criminal liability where the offence is prosecuted ex officio.

The circumstances under which the waiver was obtained should be examined.

Can a Victim Recover Lawyer Fees from the Fraudster?

Costs in criminal and civil proceedings are governed by separate statutory rules.

Do not assume every privately agreed lawyer fee is automatically recoverable from the offender.

Civil damages and litigation costs require separate analysis.

How Long Does a Turkish Fraud Investigation Take?

There is no universal duration.

Time depends on:

• number of suspects;
• amount of digital evidence;
• bank requests;
• foreign evidence;
• expert reports;
• and workload.

A simple local case may proceed relatively quickly.

A cross-border cryptocurrency fraud with dozens of accounts can take substantially longer.

Can the Victim Speed Up the Investigation?

A lawyer cannot order the prosecutor to complete the investigation immediately.

But the victim can help by:

• filing organised evidence;
• identifying urgency;
• responding quickly;
• avoiding repetitive irrelevant submissions;
• and making focused investigative requests.

Is More Evidence Always Better?

Not if it obscures the case.

Ten relevant documents can be stronger than five hundred random screenshots.

Organise evidence logically.

Should the Complaint Be Extremely Emotional?

The complaint can explain the seriousness of loss, but facts and evidence should remain central.

Prosecutors need to understand:

• deception;
• causation;
• benefit;
• loss;
• identity;
• and evidence.

Should the Complaint Include Every Possible Criminal Offence?

Not necessarily.

Overloading a complaint with dozens of offence names can reduce credibility.

Describe facts and identify the most plausible offences.

Should the Complaint Demand the Maximum Sentence?

Sentencing is determined by the court.

The victim’s primary legal objective should be an effective investigation and accurate classification.

Should the Complaint Identify the Exact Amount of Loss?

Yes, where possible.

State:

• currency;
• principal;
• date;
• and how calculated.

If additional losses exist, distinguish them.

What If the Exact Loss Is Not Yet Known?

State the confirmed minimum and explain that further loss will be documented.

What If Several Currencies Were Used?

Create a separate table for:

• EUR;
• USD;
• TRY;
• GBP;
• cryptocurrency.

Do not casually convert everything without identifying original transaction currency.

What If the Victim Paid Through Western Union or Another Money Transfer Service?

Preserve:

• transaction number;
• recipient;
• location;
• ID used for pickup;
• amount;
• date;
• and receipt.

The prosecutor may seek additional information.

What If the Victim Paid Through a Payment Institution?

Preserve:

• account ID;
• transaction ID;
• recipient;
• account-registration information;
• and support correspondence.

What If the Scam Used a Prepaid Card?

Provide card details and transaction history where available.

What If the Victim Gave the Fraudster Online Banking Credentials?

Immediately:

• contact bank;
• change credentials;
• block cards;
• preserve SMS;
• preserve call information;
• and report unauthorised transactions.

Cybersecurity action and criminal complaint should occur in parallel.

What If the Victim Installed Remote Access Software?

This is common in fake technical-support scams.

Preserve:

• application name;
• installation time;
• phone/computer logs;
• remote session ID;
• bank transactions;
• and communications.

Do not continue using a compromised device for sensitive banking until it is secured.

What If the Victim Shared an OTP Code?

The fact that the victim voluntarily typed or shared a code after deception does not automatically mean there was no fraud.

The entire deceptive mechanism must be examined.

What If the Bank Refuses to Reimburse the Victim?

Bank liability is a separate issue from criminal liability of the fraudsters.

Possible consumer/banking claims may exist depending on:

• authentication;
• security failures;
• transaction authorisation;
• victim conduct;
• and applicable banking/payment law.

A prosecutor complaint against the fraudster does not automatically determine the bank’s civil liability.

Should the Bank Be Named as a Suspect?

Not merely because the fraudster used a bank account.

A bank’s compliance or reimbursement dispute is different from evidence that bank employees intentionally participated in fraud.

Do not make unsupported criminal accusations.

What If an Employee of the Bank Participated?

Then provide specific evidence.

Article 158 and other offences may become relevant.

The employer bank’s separate liability requires analysis.

Can the Fraudster Be Prosecuted if They Return the Money Before the Complaint?

Potentially yes.

Repayment can affect effective remorse.

It does not necessarily erase completed fraud.

What If the Victim Discovers Fraud Years Later?

File immediately once discovered.

Limitation must be analysed.

Preserve evidence of when discovery occurred, especially where civil rescission or fraud-based contractual claims have separate time limits.

Can Turkish Prosecutors Investigate a Fake Online Platform Whose Server Is Abroad?

Potentially.

International data requests may be needed.

The victim should provide as much technical identification as possible.

What If the Domain Uses Privacy Protection?

That does not make investigation impossible, but it can complicate identification.

Payment and communication evidence may be more useful than public domain-registration data.

What If the Fraudster Used a VPN?

VPN use may complicate IP identification but does not eliminate other evidence:

• banking;
• device;
• phone;
• cryptocurrency;
• CCTV;
• and account records.

What If the Suspect Uses Someone Else’s SIM Card?

The prosecutor can examine communication patterns, device data and financial links.

Subscriber name alone does not necessarily identify the true user.

Why Should the Complaint Avoid Treating Every IBAN Owner as the Mastermind?

Because modern fraud networks use account holders in different roles.

The 2026 amendment to Article 158 itself reflects the need to differentiate participation based on supplying financial accounts or payment means from other forms of fraudulent conduct.

The complaint should request investigation of each person’s role.

What If the Victim Receives a KYOK Because the IBAN Holder Says They “Rented the Account”?

A statement by an account holder is evidence, not an automatic conclusion.

The investigation may need to examine:

• compensation;
• communications;
• account access;
• cash withdrawal;
• prior suspicious transactions;
• and relationship with other suspects.

If those issues were not investigated, they may be relevant in a KYOK objection.

What If the Account Holder Is Also a Victim?

This can happen.

A person may have been tricked into giving account access.

Criminal responsibility must be proven individually.

The foreign victim’s complaint should focus on facts, not assumptions.

How Does a Foreign Victim Challenge an Incomplete Investigation?

Possible tools include:

• supplementary evidence petitions;
• requests under victim rights;
• and KYOK objection if the investigation is closed.

The Article 173 objection should identify concrete missing steps.

Can a KYOK Be Reopened After It Becomes Final?

Article 172 provides restrictions on reopening the same matter after a non-prosecution decision, with special rules concerning new evidence and judicial review.

This is another reason to challenge an incorrect KYOK on time rather than assume the complaint can simply be refiled indefinitely.

What If the Prosecutor Never Gives a Decision for a Long Time?

A lawyer can monitor the file and submit procedural requests.

Unreasonable delay may raise separate legal issues in extreme cases, but there is no simple mechanism to force an indictment merely because the victim wants a faster result.

Can the Victim Complain About Police Inaction?

The prosecutor supervises criminal investigation through judicial police.

Focused requests should generally be directed through the prosecutor file where an investigation is open.

What If Evidence Is Being Destroyed Right Now?

State this clearly.

Identify:

• what evidence;
• who controls it;
• why it is at risk;
• and why immediate preservation is necessary.

What If a Bank Transfer Was Made Only Hours Ago?

Contact the bank immediately before doing anything else.

Then file the criminal complaint urgently.

Timing may determine whether the money is still in the first account.

What If the Money Has Already Left Türkiye?

The complaint remains important.

Provide international transfer information.

Recovery becomes more difficult, but the transaction trail can still identify participants.

What If the Suspect Bought Property with the Fraud Proceeds?

Tell the prosecutor and provide the property information if known.

Article 128 can cover real estate where statutory conditions are satisfied.

Civil enforcement options should also be considered.

What If the Suspect Bought a Vehicle?

Provide plate and registration information if known.

Article 128 also covers transportation vehicles within its framework.

What If the Suspect Has Company Shares?

Article 128 includes company shares where statutory requirements exist.

Again, the victim does not personally impose seizure; judicial conditions apply.

What If the Suspect Has a Safe Deposit Box?

Safe-deposit contents are also among the assets identified in Article 128.

Can the Prosecutor Obtain a Financial Crime Report?

Depending on the investigation, authorities can request financial analysis and reports from competent bodies.

The victim should provide the raw financial trail accurately.

Is MASAK the Place Where a Victim Files the Main Fraud Complaint?

Generally, the criminal complaint should go to the Public Prosecutor or law enforcement.

MASAK plays specialised roles in financial-crime analysis and suspicious-transaction systems.

A private victim should not assume that sending a message to MASAK replaces a criminal complaint.

Can the Victim Ask the Bank to “Put a MASAK Block” on the Fraudster?

No private victim has unilateral authority to order such a measure.

Use proper banking notifications and judicial channels.

What If the Victim Sent Money Voluntarily?

Fraud often involves a voluntary transfer caused by deception.

The fact that the victim personally clicked “send” does not automatically mean no fraud occurred.

The essence of fraud is that consent was induced through deceptive conduct.

The Ministry of Justice explains this distinction between fraud and theft: in fraud, the victim’s apparent consent arises because of deception.

What If the Victim Approved the Card Transaction?

Again, authorisation in a banking sense does not necessarily defeat a criminal fraud allegation if the authorisation was obtained through deception.

Bank reimbursement is a separate question.

What If the Suspect Says “Investment Always Has Risk”?

That can be true in a real investment.

The prosecution must determine whether there was a real investment or a fictitious scheme.

Evidence of an actual investment may undermine fraud.

Evidence of fabricated trades and fake balances may support it.

What If the Property Actually Exists but Is Worth Much Less?

Overpricing alone is not automatically criminal fraud.

But intentional false representations about:

• identity;
• zoning;
• title;
• characteristics;
• or guaranteed value

may create legal consequences.

What If the Victim Was Promised a Turkish Residence Permit?

A residence permit cannot be lawfully “guaranteed” merely by a private intermediary.

If a foreigner purchased something only because a person knowingly made false immigration representations, those facts may be relevant.

What If the Victim Paid to Remove an Entry Ban or Deportation Order?

Payments should only be made for legitimate professional or official processes.

A person claiming:

“Pay me cash and I will pay the judge”

creates a serious red flag.

Preserve the communication.

What If the Victim Paid a Genuine Lawyer but the Legal Case Was Lost?

Losing a case is not itself fraud.

Criminal fraud requires deceptive conduct and unlawful benefit.

Professional negligence or fee disputes are separate issues.

What If the Victim Paid for Services That Were Partly Performed?

This can complicate classification.

The prosecutor will examine whether the suspect ever intended full performance or whether the dispute concerns quality/payment.

What If the Fraudster Provides a Refund Agreement After the Complaint?

Review it carefully.

It may strengthen proof of debt.

But clauses waiving all criminal/civil rights should be analysed.

Should the Settlement Be Notarised?

Depending on value and purpose, formal documentation can improve enforceability.

The optimal form should be selected based on the claim.

Can the Victim Take Security for Repayment?

Possible security mechanisms include:

• mortgage;
• pledge;
• promissory note;
• guarantee;
• or other lawful instruments.

A repayment promise without security may be worthless if the suspect has no assets.

What If the Fraudster Offers a Cheque?

Check:

• issuer;
• bank;
• date;
• authority;
• and legal consequences.

Receiving a cheque should not automatically be treated as full repayment unless actually agreed and paid.

What If the Fraudster Offers Property Instead of Cash?

Verify title, encumbrances and real value before agreeing.

Never accept “property security” based only on photographs.

What If the Fraudster Offers Cryptocurrency Repayment?

Verify wallet and transfer.

Consider volatility, taxes and settlement language.

Can the Victim Use the Criminal Case to Negotiate?

The victim may negotiate lawful restitution.

But criminal proceedings should not be used for unlawful threats.

Communications should remain professional.

What If the Victim Is Threatened with a Counter-Complaint?

Do not fabricate or withdraw truthful allegations out of fear.

Preserve threats and consult counsel.

What If the Fraudster Accuses the Victim of Defamation?

A factual criminal complaint made in good faith to competent authorities is different from publicly broadcasting unsupported accusations.

Keep public communications restrained.

Should the Foreign Victim Contact the Suspect’s Family?

Usually this is not a legal recovery method and may create unnecessary conflict.

Focus on official procedures and identified assets.

Can Private Investigators Be Used?

Private evidence-gathering must comply with Turkish privacy and criminal laws.

Do not use illegal hacking, surveillance or impersonation.

Can a Lawyer Contact Other Victims?

Potentially, with appropriate privacy safeguards.

Common-pattern evidence can be powerful.

What If the Suspect Has Multiple Similar Criminal Files?

Tell the prosecutor if reliable information exists.

Do not rely on rumours.

Can Criminal Records Be Obtained by the Victim?

Access to another person’s criminal history is restricted.

Judicial authorities can obtain relevant records.

What If the Suspect Uses Many Companies?

Create an ownership/management chart.

Identify:

• company;
• manager;
• bank account;
• payment;
• and role.

This helps expose the structure.

What If the Suspect Changes Company Names?

Trade registry history can be relevant.

What If the Scam Uses a Turkish Company but the Bank Account Is Abroad?

Provide both corporate and foreign banking details.

International cooperation may be needed.

What If the Victim Is a Foreign Company With No Turkish Office?

The company may act through an authorised lawyer and properly documented corporate authority.

Can the Foreign Victim Recover Translation Costs?

Recovery of private transaction and litigation expenses depends on the legal claim and court-cost rules.

Court-appointed criminal interpretation itself is borne by the State under CMK.

Does the Victim Have to Travel to Türkiye for a Civil Lawsuit?

Often counsel can handle substantial portions, although personal attendance may occasionally be required.

Can the Criminal Complaint Be Used as Evidence in Civil Court?

The investigation file and eventual criminal judgment can contain relevant evidence.

The civil court determines evidentiary effect under applicable law.

Does a KYOK Mean the Victim Automatically Loses the Civil Case?

No.

Criminal and civil standards and causes of action differ.

A transaction may fail to constitute criminal fraud but still create:

• contractual liability;
• debt;
• unjust enrichment;
• or consumer liability.

Does Acquittal Mean No Civil Liability?

Not necessarily.

The exact reason for acquittal matters.

Civil liability can exist even where criminal conviction is not possible.

Why Is Correct Legal Classification So Important?

Because the same fact pattern can involve several legal areas.

A fake property sale can involve:

• fraud;
• forgery;
• title law;
• contract law;
• unjust enrichment;
• provisional injunction;
• and enforcement.

A fake investment can involve:

• fraud;
• company law;
• capital-markets rules;
• debt recovery;
• and tort.

A bank impersonation scam can involve:

• aggravated fraud;
• cybercrime;
• payment-law disputes;
• and bank liability.

A one-dimensional complaint can miss recovery opportunities.

2026 Practice Note: Fraud Investigations Are Increasingly Digital

Recent 2026 prosecutor announcements show how Turkish fraud investigations increasingly rely on:

• bank account movements;
• communication records;
• digital devices;
• online advertising;
• technical surveillance;
• and coordinated cybercrime investigations.

The Istanbul Anatolian prosecutor’s March 2026 bank-impersonation case and July 2026 vehicle-fraud investigation demonstrate this evidence-driven approach.

Foreign victims should therefore preserve digital evidence professionally.

A Foreign Victim’s 10-Step Legal Strategy

The most effective overall strategy can be summarised as follows:

Step 1 – Stop further loss.

Do not make additional payments.

Step 2 – Secure accounts and devices.

Change banking and email credentials if compromised.

Step 3 – Notify financial institutions immediately.

Request fraud review and possible recall.

Step 4 – Preserve evidence.

Do not delete originals.

Step 5 – Prepare chronology.

Connect deception to each payment.

Step 6 – File the criminal complaint.

Identify suspects and urgent evidence.

Step 7 – Request financial tracing.

Identify bank and crypto flows.

Step 8 – Assess asset protection.

Criminal seizure, civil injunction or provisional attachment may be relevant.

Step 9 – Follow the investigation actively.

Submit new evidence and challenge KYOK where necessary.

Step 10 – Pursue financial recovery separately where required.

Do not assume imprisonment equals compensation.

Conclusion: Foreigners Defrauded in Türkiye Can Use the Turkish Criminal Justice System, but a Successful Complaint Requires More Than Saying “I Lost Money”

A foreign national who is defrauded in Türkiye has full access to the Turkish criminal complaint process.

Article 158 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows a criminal complaint to be made to:

• the Public Prosecutor’s Office;
• or law enforcement.

A complaint may be written or orally recorded.

The foreign victim does not need:

• Turkish citizenship;
• permanent residence;
• perfect Turkish-language ability;
• or complete identification details for every suspect

before reporting fraud.

Where the victim cannot express themselves adequately in Turkish, Article 202 provides for interpretation during both the investigation and trial, and interpreter expenses are borne by the State.

The legal challenge is usually not access to the prosecutor.

The real challenge is presenting the case in a way that clearly demonstrates criminal deception.

Turkish fraud law requires more than non-payment.

The prosecution must be able to identify:

deceptive conduct,

victim reliance,

financial loss,

and

unlawful benefit.

That is why the Ministry of Justice warns that evidence of fraudulent conduct is particularly important; otherwise the case may be regarded as an ordinary civil debt dispute.

For a foreign victim, the complaint should therefore answer:

Who made the false representation?

What exactly was said?

Why was it false?

Did the suspect know it was false?

Why did the victim rely on it?

What money or property was transferred?

Where did the money go?

What happened immediately afterwards?

What evidence shows that deception existed from the beginning?

These questions distinguish a strong criminal fraud file from a weak contractual complaint.

The second major issue is classification.

Basic fraud is regulated by Article 157.

Aggravated fraud under Article 158 covers important modern scam methods including use of:

• information systems;
• banks;
• commercial-company activity;
• professional trust;
• mass-media tools;
• and impersonation of public officials or bank personnel.

The difference affects punishment and the competent criminal court.

The Ministry of Justice confirms that basic fraud is tried in the Criminal Court of First Instance while aggravated fraud is tried in the Heavy Criminal Court.

The law has also changed recently.

On 31 July 2026, the 12th Judicial Package introduced a new Article 158(4) concerning persons whose participation in fraud is limited to providing bank cards, banking accounts, payment-service accounts, brokerage accounts or cryptocurrency-service-provider accounts for use in the offence.

In qualifying cases, the sentence can be reduced by half.

This amendment is highly relevant to modern online fraud.

It reinforces an important investigative principle:

The first IBAN holder is not necessarily the entire fraud organisation.

Victims and prosecutors must trace:

• the communicator;
• account holder;
• onward beneficiary;
• cash withdrawer;
• cryptocurrency converter;
• and ultimate beneficiary.

The third issue is speed.

A foreign victim should act immediately because:

• bank funds move rapidly;
• cryptocurrency can be transferred instantly;
• websites can disappear;
• social-media accounts can be deleted;
• phone numbers can be abandoned;
• and assets can be sold.

Where statutory conditions exist, Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows seizure of bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, company shares, receivables and other assets in fraud investigations where concrete-evidence-based strong suspicion connects those assets with the offence. Fraud under Articles 157 and 158 is expressly within the scope of that provision.

A victim cannot personally order seizure.

But a well-prepared complaint can identify:

• account numbers;
• transaction chains;
• real estate;
• companies;
• and other assets

and request that prosecutors urgently investigate whether judicial seizure is appropriate.

Where property seized under Article 128 belongs to the victim and is no longer necessary as evidence, Article 131 provides a mechanism for return to the victim.

The fourth issue is financial recovery.

A criminal complaint should not be confused with a civil compensation lawsuit.

The Turkish Criminal Procedure Code no longer contains the former personal-action mechanism allowing the victim’s full private damages claim to be litigated within the criminal proceeding.

The victim will often need:

• civil litigation;
• enforcement;
• provisional attachment;
• property litigation;
• or another private-law remedy

to recover the complete financial loss.

The fifth issue is active participation.

Article 234 gives the victim important investigation rights, including requesting the collection of evidence and challenging a non-prosecution decision.

If the prosecutor issues a KYOK, the victim should not ignore it.

Under the current Article 173 framework, a person harmed by the offence generally has two weeks from service to object to the non-prosecution decision.

A strong objection should demonstrate:

• evidence ignored;
• investigative steps omitted;
• legal classification errors;
• and facts establishing sufficient suspicion.

If an indictment is issued, the victim should consider formally joining the public prosecution under Articles 237 and 238. Participation strengthens the ability to follow evidence and use legal remedies.

The sixth issue is restitution.

Basic fraud under Article 157 remains subject to criminal reconciliation.

This can create a practical recovery route.

In other fraud cases, Article 168 effective-remorse rules provide defendants with a sentencing incentive to return or compensate the victim’s loss. Partial restitution generally requires the victim’s consent for the relevant effective-remorse treatment.

These mechanisms mean that financial recovery can remain relevant throughout:

• investigation;
• prosecution;
• sentencing;
• and settlement discussions.

The final rule for foreigners who have been defrauded in Türkiye is therefore simple:

Do not treat the case as merely a criminal complaint.

Treat it as a combined:

evidence-preservation,

criminal-investigation,

asset-tracing,

and

financial-recovery strategy.

The best legal question is not merely:

“Where can I file a complaint?”

The better questions are:

Where is the money now?

What evidence proves the deception?

Who controlled each account?

Can the proceeds still be preserved?

Is the case basic or aggravated fraud?

Are there additional offences such as forgery or cybercrime?

Is reconciliation available?

Can effective remorse lead to repayment?

Should a civil lawsuit or enforcement proceeding begin immediately?

Is there a property or bank account that must urgently be protected?

What happens if the prosecutor issues a KYOK?

How will the victim participate in the criminal trial?

Once these issues are addressed together, a foreign victim has a substantially stronger chance of turning a simple complaint into an effective Turkish fraud-recovery strategy.

Legal Basis

The principal legislation relevant to a foreigner filing a fraud complaint in Türkiye includes:

Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237

Article 157 – Fraud

A person who deceives another through fraudulent conduct and obtains an unlawful benefit to the detriment of the victim or another person is punished under the basic fraud provision.

The current punishment is one to five years’ imprisonment and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days.

Article 158 – Aggravated Fraud

Includes aggravated fraud involving, among other methods:

• information systems;
• banks and credit institutions;
• commercial activities;
• professional trust;
• mass media;
• government/public-institution misuse;
• and impersonation of public officials or financial-institution employees.

Article 158(4) – 2026 Financial-Account Participation Amendment

Added by Law No. 7589 on 31 July 2026.

It provides a sentence reduction in the specific circumstances where participation is limited to supplying payment instruments or financial/crypto account access information for fraudulent use.

Article 167 – Family-Relationship Rules

Contains personal non-punishment and complaint-based reduced punishment rules for certain property offences committed against specified relatives.

Article 168 – Effective Remorse

Allows punishment reductions in fraud cases where the offender genuinely compensates the victim according to the statutory timing and conditions.

Criminal Procedure Code No. 5271

Article 158 – Report and Complaint

A crime may be reported to:

• Public Prosecutor;
• law enforcement.

Complaints can be written or oral.

Complaints given to a governor, district governor or court are forwarded to the relevant prosecutor.

For offences committed abroad that must be prosecuted in Türkiye, a complaint can also be submitted to Turkish embassies and consulates.

Article 160 – Prosecutor’s Investigation Duty

Once circumstances suggesting that an offence occurred become known, the prosecutor must investigate the truth and collect evidence.

Article 128 – Seizure of Assets

Permits judicial seizure, under statutory conditions, of:

• real estate;
• vehicles;
• bank and financial accounts;
• rights and receivables;
• securities;
• company shares;
• safe-deposit contents;
• and other assets.

Fraud under Articles 157 and 158 is expressly within its scope.

Article 131 – Return of Seized Property

Assets seized under Article 128 that belong to the victim can be returned where they are no longer required as evidence.

Article 157 – Confidentiality

Investigation-stage procedures are confidential subject to the statutory exceptions.

Article 170 – Indictment

Where evidence creates sufficient suspicion that a crime was committed, the prosecutor prepares an indictment.

Articles 172–173 – Non-Prosecution and Objection

Where sufficient suspicion cannot be established, the prosecutor can issue a decision not to prosecute.

The person harmed by the offence can challenge that decision through the statutory Article 173 procedure. The current objection period is two weeks from service.

Article 202 – Interpreter

A victim who cannot adequately communicate in Turkish is entitled to interpretation during the investigation and prosecution stages.

Article 234 – Victim Rights

Includes rights to:

• request collection of evidence;
• request appropriate copies;
• access the investigation through counsel within statutory limits;
• and challenge a non-prosecution decision.

Articles 237–242 – Participation in Public Prosecution

Allow victims and persons harmed by the crime to request formal participation in the criminal trial and exercise related procedural rights.

Article 253 – Reconciliation

Basic fraud under Article 157 remains among the offences expressly included in criminal reconciliation.

Selected 2026 Developments and Practice Examples

Law No. 7589 – 12th Judicial Package, 31 July 2026

Added Article 158(4) concerning limited participation in fraud through supplying bank, payment, brokerage or cryptocurrency account/payment access.

Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor – 18 March 2026

A coordinated fraud network allegedly impersonated bank employees, obtained verification codes and transferred victim money. Bank movements, communications and digital evidence were used, and aggravated fraud charges were brought under Article 158/1-l.

Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor – 21 July 2026

An investigation involving 47 victims alleged systematic manipulation of vehicle mileage, concealment of damage histories and use of false expert reports in vehicle sales.

Ministry of Justice 2025 Reconciliation Statistics

Basic fraud under TCK Article 157 remained one of the ten offence categories in which the highest numbers of successful reconciliations were achieved nationwide during 2025.

Final Practical Checklist for a Foreign Fraud Victim in Türkiye

If you believe you have been defrauded in Türkiye:

• stop sending money;
• notify your bank or payment provider immediately;
• secure compromised accounts;
• preserve all original digital evidence;
• save complete bank and crypto records;
• prepare a detailed chronology;
• identify every suspect, account and communication channel;
• file a criminal complaint quickly;
• request investigation of the money trail;
• identify urgent asset-preservation needs;
• obtain an interpreter if necessary;
• do not sign Turkish statements you do not understand;
• keep your Turkish judicial address information updated;
• actively follow the prosecutor file;
• submit additional evidence when discovered;
• challenge an incorrect KYOK within the statutory period;
• request participation if the case proceeds to trial;
• evaluate reconciliation carefully in Article 157 cases;
• document any restitution offer;
• use Article 168 restitution incentives strategically;
• and analyse civil recovery and enforcement independently of the criminal complaint.

The strongest response to fraud is rarely a single petition.

It is a coordinated strategy designed to:

identify the offender, preserve the evidence, trace the money, protect the assets, prosecute the crime and recover the loss.

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information concerning fraud complaints and victim rights under Turkish law as of 1 September 2026. It does not constitute legal advice for a specific criminal investigation. Fraud cases differ significantly depending on the method of deception, payment channel, suspect identity, location, evidence, asset position, complaint timing and whether separate civil or enforcement proceedings are necessary.