Minister Akın Gürlek announced: Operations targeting visa appointments in 6 provinces!

In a significant crackdown on alleged visa appointment fraud, Turkish authorities have initiated operations across six provinces, targeting individuals and companies accused of exploiting online systems. The investigation, spearheaded by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, focuses on entities operating under the guise of visa consultancy services.

According to the prosecutor's office, suspects are accused of using automated software, known as 'bots,' to gain unauthorized access to the online appointment systems of consulates and authorized intermediary institutions. This alleged monopolization systematically made it difficult for ordinary citizens to secure direct appointments. The suspects reportedly charged fees for guaranteed visa or appointment procurement, often failing to provide refunds when services were not rendered.

Further allegations suggest that personal data of applicants was transferred to these automated systems. Financial analyses have uncovered substantial money movements, with over 2.8 billion Turkish Lira (approximately $87 million USD) transacting through suspect accounts between January 2024 and July 2026. During the same period, an estimated 918.4 million Turkish Lira (approximately $28 million USD) was collected from more than 41,000 individuals.

The investigation also points to a concerning practice where a significant portion of these collections allegedly occurred through personal accounts of company partners and employees, rather than official company accounts. The probe revealed that companies operated under various visa brands, with substantial cash, crypto-asset, and precious metal movements detected in these accounts. Some victims reportedly paid up to 500,000 Turkish Lira (approximately $15,000 USD) for these services. Authorities have conducted simultaneous operations at 63 addresses in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bursa, and İzmir to apprehend 49 suspects and seize evidence. The prosecutor's office indicated that the investigation may expand based on new evidence.