29.10.2026 13:09
In Istanbul, Çetin Acar, the fugitive leader of the 'title deed gang' who seized the million-worth real estate of elderly people living alone through threats, blackmail, kidnapping and forged documents, has been caught. Acar, wanted since 2021 due to the sentences he received for crimes linked to the deaths of three people, was detained at a hotel run by his son in Şişli. The files on the crimes the gang committed in the past included details of a historic waterfront mansion, million-worth villas and horrific murders.
In Istanbul, 'title deed gang' leader Çetin Acar was caught in a police operation after years on the run. It emerged that the address where Acar, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment and 10 years in prison, was hiding was a hotel belonging to his son.
CAUGHT AT THE HOTEL RUN BY HIS SON
Teams from the Wanted Persons Bureau of the Istanbul Public Order Branch Directorate tracked Çetin Acar, against whom finalized prison sentences had been issued. Police teams determined that the fugitive convict, wanted since 2021, was at a hotel run by his son on Halaskargazi Avenue in Şişli. Çetin Acar was detained in an operation at the hotel. Thus, the escape that had continued for years came to an end.
THEY TARGETED ELDERLY AND LONELY PEOPLE
The criminal organization led by Çetin Acar became known as the 'title deed gang' in 2008. It was established that the organization particularly targeted elderly Turkish citizens of Armenian origin who lived alone and owned high-value real estate. Gang members put their victims under pressure through threats, blackmail, and kidnapping. They seized properties using forged documents and promissory notes signed under duress.
THEY SOLD THE HISTORIC WATERSIDE MANSION WITH A FORGED POWER OF ATTORNEY
One of the most striking incidents the organization was involved in occurred in 2007 in Kanlıca, Beykoz. The adopted child of Vanda Ayaşlı Esen, who wanted to sell her historic waterside mansion, was kidnapped and held in Mersin. The kidnapped person was rescued in a police operation. When Vanda Ayaşlı Esen died suspiciously during this process, her grave was opened and an autopsy was performed. The autopsy determined that the elderly woman had died of starvation. The investigation revealed that Esen's valuables, jewelry, and vehicles in bank safes had been looted. It was established that the historic waterside mansion had been transferred to Çetin Acar with a forged power of attorney and then sold to another person.
THE END OF TWO SIBLINGS WAS ALSO HORRIFIC
The other people targeted by the gang were the siblings Şemsittin Geçgil and Fikriye Geçgil, who wanted to sell their two villas in Yeşilköy. Organization members kidnapped Şemsittin Geçgil, forced him to sign promissory notes, and had liens placed on the villas. Şemsittin Geçgil's lifeless body was found in the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ. Fikriye Geçgil, who was left in critical condition in front of Gebze State Hospital, died on April 23, 2008.
33 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN CASE WITH 55 DEFENDANTS
Police carried out a large-scale operation on June 12, 2008, to dismantle the organization. Suspects, including Çetin Acar, his wife N.A., real estate agent F.G., driver A.S., and some land registry directors, were detained. During searches at Acar's home, original title deeds belonging to the victims and forged promissory notes were seized. In the case in which a total of 55 defendants were tried, 33 people, including public officials, were arrested.