04.08.2026 17:50
The Ministry of Interior announced that 72 suspects were apprehended in an operation targeting a network that facilitated irregular citizenship through fraudulent real estate appraisal reports in 16 provinces. The Ministry reported that a total of 6,134 individuals had their citizenship decisions revoked or rescinded due to these irregular transactions.
The Ministry of Interior issued a written statement regarding the operation against fake appraisal/expert reports and irregular citizenship procedures. The statement included the following:
72 SUSPECTS APPREHENDED IN THE OPERATION
"A need has arisen to inform the public following the apprehension of 72 suspects in an operation conducted across 16 provinces against a network that provided irregular citizenship through fake real estate appraisal reports.
The application, inspection, and evaluation processes for foreign nationals seeking to acquire Turkish citizenship through investment are meticulously carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 12, paragraph 1, subparagraph (b) of Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship and Article 20 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law. In this context, foreigners who obtain a residence permit under Article 31, paragraph 1, subparagraph (j) of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, along with their foreign spouses and their or their spouses' minor or dependent foreign children, may apply for Turkish citizenship by making fixed capital investments, acquiring real estate, making foreign currency deposit investments, investing in government debt instruments, investing in real estate/venture capital investment fund participation shares, or investing in the individual pension system, in the amounts specified in the legislation.
For each type of investment, an investment eligibility certificate is issued by the relevant public institutions; for foreigners who make real estate investments in the amount specified under Article 20, paragraph 2 of the Regulation, as of 2024, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM) issues an eligibility certificate based on appraisal reports prepared by appraisal companies licensed by the CMB, coordinated by TKGM, and issued by Real Estate Appraisal Inc. (GEDAŞ), a subsidiary of the TOKİ Presidency.
Following the issuance of the eligibility certificate, a comprehensive security investigation and archive search are conducted on applicants through the General Directorate of Security and the National Intelligence Organization; if the investigation concludes favorably, the approval stages are completed by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, and Turkish citizenship is acquired.
CITIZENSHIPS REVOKED
As a result of examinations conducted by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, the Board of Tax Inspection, and the General Directorate of Security against entities attempting to abuse the process with fake and irregular expert reports, the investment eligibility certificates of 1,150 investors found to have engaged in collusive or irregular transactions have been revoked, and the citizenship decisions of a total of 5,391 individuals, including their family members, have been revoked.
Following the acquisition of citizenship, the citizenship decisions of 263 investors, along with their family members, totaling 743 individuals, who were identified by the General Directorate of Security and the National Intelligence Organization as posing concerns in terms of public order and national security, have been withdrawn on the grounds that the legal conditions were not met. Thus, the citizenship acquisition decisions of a total of 1,413 investors and, together with their family members, 6,134 individuals have been revoked or withdrawn pursuant to Articles 31 and 40 of Law No. 5901.
As of February 11, 2026, the Turkish citizenship of 443 investors whose investment eligibility certificates were revoked, along with their family members, totaling 1,358 individuals, has been revoked, and the citizenship of 7 individuals has been withdrawn due to reported concerns regarding national security and public order.
"OUR PERSONNEL HAVE NO WEAKNESS OR NEGLIGENCE"
The issues subject to the operation consist solely of forgery attempts concerning pre-application documents, and our personnel at the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs bear no weakness or negligence within the scope of their duties and authorities. All irregularities constituting crimes are referred to judicial authorities. Our Ministry will resolutely continue its fight against all illegal structures and irregularities with an understanding of protecting our national security and public order."