20.06.2026 12:30
The 12th Judicial Package prepared by the AK Party may include a striking regulation concerning thousands of people facing prison sentences for allowing others to use their IBANs. According to the new formula accessed by Haberler.com, individuals who unknowingly become involved in fraud offenses and cover the victim's damages will be eligible for reduced sentences, and in some cases, prevented from imprisonment altogether.
One of the important articles expected to be included in the 12th Judicial Package, which AK Party plans to submit to Parliament on Monday, is a regulation concerning individuals known as 'IBAN victims' who have been penalized for IBAN renting. AK Party legal experts have agreed on a formula that would save those facing prison sentences for allowing their IBANs to be used. However, a final decision on whether this regulation will be included in the judicial package has not been made yet. The decision will be clarified before the package is submitted to the Parliament Speaker's Office on Monday.
THOSE WHO LEND THEIR IBAN CANNOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT
According to the news by Haberler.com Ankara Representative Şerife Güzel, the situation referred to as 'IBAN victims' under Article 158 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which regulates the provisions of 'qualified fraud', arises when a person allows their bank account to be used by others. As a result of this method, often used by fraudsters, the person whose IBAN is used faces a prison sentence.
INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM POLICE AND PROSECUTOR'S OFFICES
AK Party officials conducted a meticulous study on this issue, as the number of victims who received prison sentences for unconsciously allowing their IBANs to be used by others is quite high. Legal experts worked on a formula that would distinguish those engaged in fraudulent activities from those who genuinely allowed their IBANs to be used unconsciously. During the study, AK Party legal experts consulted with individuals from police security units, prosecutor's offices, the Court of Cassation, and appellate courts who deal with this situation in the field, and gathered information about the practical situation regarding how a real solution could be achieved.
OVER 400 THOUSAND INVESTIGATIONS, MORE THAN HALF ARE YOUNG PEOPLE
Since IBAN usage is categorized under the crime of 'qualified fraud', many people have been imprisoned due to the resulting prison sentences, and it has been learned that the number of individuals under investigation exceeds 400 thousand. It was noted that 200 thousand of these individuals are between the ages of 22-30.
SOME HAVE EVEN RECEIVED 200-YEAR SENTENCES
Legal experts pointed out that separate penalties are given for each fraud case, and there are currently individuals facing prison sentences of up to 200 years. They assessed, 'If 50 people were defrauded using the same IBAN, then the judge may impose a prison sentence of up to 200 years, with 4 years for each fraud case. The actual time spent in prison could extend to many years.' Lawyers emphasize that especially young people, who face prison sentences for unconsciously allowing their IBANs to be used, have the rest of their lives significantly adversely affected.
HOW WILL THE 'INNOCENT' BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE 'FRAUDSTER'?
AK Party officials worked diligently to allow not only young people, whose future lives will be negatively affected by the prison sentences they face, but also all individuals who are imprisoned despite not being involved in the crime, to be able to escape punishment. They considered various formulas to achieve a permanent solution to the problem in a way that distinguishes 'fraudsters' from 'innocent' individuals in IBAN usage.
WHAT FORMULA WAS FOUND?
With the formula agreed upon by AK Party legal experts, allowing IBAN use will still remain a 'crime'. The person whose IBAN is used will not be the victim of the incident; rather, the defrauded person will be considered the 'victim'. However, by adding a new paragraph to Article 158 of the TCK, the 'person who allows IBAN usage', previously treated as the 'principal offender', will be moved to the position of 'secondary (accessory) offender'.
IF THEY COMPENSATE THE DAMAGES OF THE DEFRAUDED VICTIMS
If the IBAN holder compensates the damages of the people defrauded through their account and eliminates their grievances, their sentence may be reduced. Thus, the prison sentence, normally 4 years, could drop below 2 years. At the judge's discretion, this sentence may be considered under the scope of deferral of the announcement of the verdict. In this way, the person in question could avoid going to prison.
AK Party officials have finalized the work on IBAN usage, but a final evaluation will be made before Monday's submission to the Parliament Speaker's Office regarding whether it will be included in the package.