11.08.2026 09:20
Simultaneous operations were conducted in 6 provinces against a network determined to have locked the visa appointment systems of consulates and authorized intermediary institutions with bot software. In the operation targeting the structure, which was found to have victimized more than 41,000 people and had a money flow of 2.8 billion TL in its accounts, 49 suspects were detained.
A major operation was conducted in 6 provinces against networks that usurped citizens' right to obtain visa appointments through various software and gained illicit profits.
PROCESSING AGAINST 49 SUSPECTS
Action was taken against organized networks that turned visa appointments, essential for citizens' international travel, into a veritable black market. Under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and as a result of meticulous efforts by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command; simultaneous operations were carried out at 63 identified addresses in Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bursa, and Izmir, with Istanbul as the center. Within the scope of the comprehensive operation, legal proceedings were initiated to apprehend 49 suspects who obtained illicit gains by locking systems, while numerous digital materials and documents seized at the addresses were taken into examination.
THEY LOCKED THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WITH 'BOT' SOFTWARE
The network's modus operandi constituted one of the most striking details of the investigation. It was determined that individuals and companies operating under the guise of visa consultancy infiltrated the online appointment systems of consulates and authorized intermediary institutions through special software known as 'bots'. By using this software to bulk-purchase appointments that appeared in the system within seconds, the network effectively made it impossible for ordinary citizens to book appointments directly. Within the scope of the investigation, it was established that the suspects extorted exorbitant amounts of money from citizens under the names of 'software', 'consultancy', and 'service fees' by guaranteeing the procurement of visas or appointments within certain periods, and that they did not issue refunds when the service was not provided. Additionally, serious findings were obtained indicating that applicants' personal data was illegally transferred to private digital systems.
MONEY TRAFFIC EXCEEDING 2 BILLION 841 MILLION LIRAS
Examinations conducted by the Tax Inspection Board of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance on the financial scale of the network revealed the magnitude of the fraud. In examinations covering the period from January 2024 to July 2026, a massive money movement exceeding 2 billion 841 million liras was detected in the bank accounts of the company structures subject to the investigation. It was determined that the network made unjust collections of approximately 918 million liras from over 41,000 victims during this process. It was also found that a significant portion of these collected high sums was transferred to the personal accounts of company partners and employees, and that there was intense traffic of cash, crypto assets, and precious metals within the system.
MINISTER GÜRLEK'S MESSAGE OF UNCOMPROMISING STRUGGLE
Speaking after the operation, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek emphasized that the fight against criminal networks would continue decisively. Stating that they act under the leadership of the President and with strong coordination of the Ministries of Justice and Interior, Gürlek said, "We are fighting uncompromisingly against structures that cause grievances for our citizens, aim to gain illicit profits, and are considered to use personal data unlawfully." Thanking the institutions that contributed to the process, Minister Gürlek stressed that they would not allow any initiative that tries to turn blocking citizens' access to services offered by authorized institutions into a gateway for illicit gains, exploiting people's labor, money, and personal data, to escape justice.