30.10.2026 20:00
In the 'change oto' operation conducted in 6 provinces centered in Istanbul, 35 suspects were detained. It was determined that the suspects transferred the chassis numbers of antique and classic vehicles illegally brought from abroad to idle vehicles registered in Türkiye, and changed 61 vehicles using this method. It was alleged that some engineers issued irregular reports for registration procedures.
Thirty-five suspects were detained in the 'change oto' operation carried out in 6 provinces based in Istanbul. It was determined that the suspects transferred the chassis numbers of antique and classic vehicles they brought from abroad through illegal means to inactive vehicles registered in Türkiye, and changed 61 vehicles with this method.
CHASSIS NUMBERS WERE TRANSFERRED TO INACTIVE VEHICLES
In the work carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by the Auto Theft Bureau Office teams of the Istanbul Provincial Police Department Public Order Branch Directorate, it was determined that suspects operating in Istanbul and Izmir transferred the chassis numbers of collector vehicles they brought from abroad through illegal means to more affordable vehicles registered in Türkiye.
MADE TO APPEAR LEGAL WITH AN ENGINEER'S REPORT
It was determined that the suspects submitted reports to notary offices—alleged to have been improperly issued by some engineers employed at the Presidency of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers of Türkiye in order to eliminate inconsistencies in registration procedures—and obtained registration certificates, attempting to make the change transactions appear legal. It was established that the suspects, who are alleged to have defrauded citizens by selling 'change' vehicles, changed 61 vehicles with this method. The vehicles were seized and taken under protection.
35 SUSPECTS DETAINED
Within the scope of the investigation conducted for the crimes of 'establishing and joining an organization for the purpose of committing a crime', 'qualified fraud', 'forgery of official documents', 'violation of the Anti-Smuggling Law No. 5607' and 'destroying, concealing or altering evidence of a crime', simultaneous operations were carried out in Istanbul, Batman, Gaziantep, Izmir, Kocaeli and Sakarya. During the operation, 35 suspects were detained, while 97 cartridges were seized in a search conducted at one suspect's residence.