New development in the fake diploma scandal investigation!

The fake electronic signature investigation, conducted under the coordination of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, is expanding. As the number of suspects in the investigation reaches 199, the extent to which security vulnerabilities in the digital world have made public institutions targets has been laid bare.

According to the findings of the authorities, although most of the e-signatures obtained through electronic certificate providers such as ZATR and TÜRKTRUST contained a "face-to-face identity verification performed" confirmation, it was revealed that the transactions did not reflect the truth. Infiltrations into public institutions were carried out thanks to the fake e-signatures obtained.

Organized infiltration into MEB, YÖK, and Migration Management systems

The investigation file includes information that unauthorized access was gained to the systems of the Ministry of National Education (MEB), the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), the Presidency of Migration Management, and various universities, and that through this method, fake graduation documents were created, exam results were altered, and personal data was illicitly obtained.

According to details reached by Habertürk, a large number of fake documents were produced, showing individuals as if they had graduated from Atatürk, Gazi, İnönü, Ege, and Yıldız Technical universities. While some of the documents were duplicated from the same template, it was determined, for example, that a diploma prepared by A.D. bore the names of three different people.

High school diplomas and exam grades also targeted

Within the scope of the investigation, irregularities were detected not only at the university level but also at the high school level. Using a fake e-signature created in the name of A.S., the MEB system was accessed, and diplomas belonging to Hınıs Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Open Education High School, Cumhuriyet Anatolian High School, and Anafartalar Anatolian High School were issued. It was determined that these records were deleted from the system on November 5, 2024.

Furthermore, through unauthorized access to the Motor Vehicle Trainee E-Exam system, the grades of individuals who failed were changed. It is alleged that the exam results of more than 100 people were manipulated using this method.

Politicians appearing as "graduates" and payment with cryptocurrency

One of the notable names in the investigation was N.P., the Chairman of the "Nizam-ı Cedid Association." It was confirmed in writing by YÖK that N.P., who was shown as a graduate of Atatürk University, actually had no higher education record. It was learned that the graduation record was created with a fake e-signature in the name of the university's head of student affairs.

In the technical follow-up conducted, it was determined that the prices of the documents ranged from 250 thousand TL to 2.5 million TL and that some payments were made via cryptocurrency. Messages exchanged between the suspects included phrases such as "Professor, the system is active" and "It shows up in the query."

Evidence through camera footage and GSM data

It is stated that the suspects accessed the system using their own GSM lines, and that many of the actions were evidenced through money transfers and security camera footage. The prominent names in the investigation and the allegations against them are listed as follows:

Z.K.: Infiltrated public systems from 38 different IP addresses and was involved in fake diploma and grade change transactions.

G.C.G.: Provided financial coordination for the fake e-signature and diploma network through TUZEM Academy.

Z.K.: The official owner of TUZEM Academy. Played a role in the preparation of fake documents and the destruction of evidence.

H.E.: Approved 16 fake e-signatures at the TÜRKTRUST Adana branch and made payments through personal accounts.

M.Y.: Applied for e-signatures with six different fake identities and was actively involved in TUZEM Academy.

Y.Ö.: Fake e-signatures were issued in the names of three different public officials; provided organizational communication through a total of eight GSM lines.

Y.B.: Used his own passport photo on fake graduation documents and made direct contact with the E-TUĞRA company.

İ.C.E.: Produced a fake e-signature in the name of a Migration Management employee.