29.10.2026 13:19
Ç.A., the leader of the 'Bloody Title Deed Gang,' which targeted elderly and lonely people in Istanbul through threats, blackmail, and kidnapping and seized their real estate with forged documents, was caught at an address in Şişli where he was living unregistered. In incidents linked to the gang, a historic waterfront mansion in Kanlıca was transferred with a forged power of attorney, and two siblings who wanted to sell their villa in Yeşilköy lost their lives. Ç.A. had been sentenced to life imprisonment and 10 years in prison in 2021.
Ç.A., the leader of the 'Bloody Title Deed Gang', who targeted elderly and lonely people living in Istanbul and seized their real estate through forged documents and blackmail, and who had a finalized prison sentence, was caught in Şişli during an operation by Asayiş Branch Directorate teams.
Istanbul Police Department Asayiş Branch Directorate teams carried out an operation on October 27, 2026, to capture wanted convicted persons. As a result of the work, it was determined that the criminal organization, which emerged in the mid-2000s and was led by Ç.A., targeted elderly and lonely people with high-value real estate. It was established that the gang pressured victims through threats, blackmail, and kidnapping and seized their properties through forged documents and promissory notes signed under duress.
KIDNAPPING, BLACKMAIL, AND FORGED POWER OF ATTORNEY
Past incidents linked to the criminal organization occurred as follows:
In 2007, the adopted child of V.A.E., who put her historic waterside mansion in Beykoz Kanlıca up for sale, was kidnapped and forcibly held in Mersin. V.A.E., who was rescued in an operation, stated that the death was suspicious. As a result of the exhumation and autopsy, it was determined that the person died from neglect. V.A.E.'s safe deposit boxes at the bank, jewelry, and vehicles were looted; the historic mansion was transferred to Ç.A. with a forged power of attorney and sold to another person.
Also in 2007, siblings Ş.G. and F.G., who wanted to sell their two villas in Yeşilköy, were kidnapped by gang members. Ş.G. was forced to sign a promissory note, and liens were placed on the villas. Ş.G.'s lifeless body was found in the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ. F.G., who was left seriously injured in front of Gebze State Hospital, died on April 23, 2008.
HE HAD RECEIVED A LIFE SENTENCE
Following all these incidents, in operations carried out on June 12, 2008, to dismantle the gang, suspects including gang leader Ç.A., his wife N.A., real estate agent F.G., driver A.S., and some land registry directors were detained. During searches at Ç.A.'s home, many original title deeds and forged promissory notes belonging to victims were seized. In the case with a total of 55 defendants, 33 people, including public officials, were arrested and sent to prison.
Suspect Ç.A. was released in 2013; with the court ruling finalized in 2021, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and 10 years in prison. Ç.A., whose unregistered residence was determined to be in Şişli, was caught in an operation carried out on October 27, 2026.
A FUGITIVE TRYING TO ESCAPE FROM THE ROOF WAS ALSO CAUGHT
Meanwhile, in other work carried out the same day by teams of the Wanted Persons Bureau Office, it was determined that a female person named S.Ş., who had a finalized prison sentence of 17 years, 4 months, and 15 days for theft, was hiding at her address in Ataşehir. During the operation at the address, the suspect, who tried to escape from the roof section of the residence, was caught and detained.
The captured suspects were referred to judicial authorities after their procedures at the police station.