Turkish authorities have commenced formal proceedings to revoke the citizenship of 687 foreign nationals who, according to investigators, obtained Turkish passports through fictitious real estate purchase agreements and forged property valuation reports. The announcement was made on 4 August 2026 by Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.
The operation was coordinated by the Organised Crime Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with police units responsible for combating illegal migration. Investigative actions were conducted simultaneously across 16 provinces, with Istanbul serving as the operational centre.
According to the findings of the investigation, participants in the scheme acquired comparatively low-value properties and subsequently inflated their assessed value to the minimum threshold required for citizenship by investment (currently USD 400,000) by means of forged expert appraisals. These transactions were supported by fictitious bank transfers designed to create the appearance that genuine investment funds had entered the country.
Minister Gürlek stated that approximately TRY 2.5 billion (equivalent to approximately USD 52.6 million) that should have entered Türkiye under the investment programme failed to do so. Instead, false financial movements were generated, while the organisers of the scheme derived unlawful financial benefit from foreign nationals seeking citizenship.
In the course of the operation, 72 of the 90 suspects against whom detention warrants had been issued were taken into custody. Seven companies were seized and placed under the administration of court-appointed trustees. In addition, authorities confiscated 1,045 real estate properties, a hotel in Bodrum, 15 vehicles, a yacht and 10 bank accounts.
Minister Gürlek underlined that all available legal instruments will be employed against networks that cause harm to the state, abuse citizenship regulations and obtain illicit profits. Proceedings to revoke the citizenship of those who acquired it by the means described have already been initiated.