An operation was carried out in 16 provinces, centered in Istanbul, against a criminal organization determined to have enabled foreign nationals to obtain Turkish citizenship by using fake appraisal reports to show low-value real estate as high-value.
Deputy Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced in a statement on his social media account that detention warrants were issued for 90 suspects as part of the investigation, and 72 suspects have been apprehended in the operations.
In the efforts coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau, it was determined that low-value real estate was shown as high-value through fake appraisal reports, and then used in citizenship applications through collusive sales transactions.
According to the investigation file, it was determined that 687 people obtained Turkish citizenship through this method. Furthermore, it was assessed that approximately 2.5 billion liras that should have entered Turkey did not, and instead, false financial transactions were created, and benefits were obtained from foreign nationals seeking citizenship.
Gürlek reported that 7 companies were seized and trustees were appointed as part of the investigation, and that 1,045 real estate properties, a hotel in Bodrum, 15 motor vehicles, a yacht, and 10 bank accounts were also seized. Minister Gürlek announced that efforts have also been initiated to revoke the Turkish citizenship of those determined to have obtained it through this method.
News Source: 12punto
