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Turkish authorities launched simultaneous operations at 63 addresses across six provinces on Tuesday as part of an investigation into companies and individuals accused of using automated software to secure large numbers of visa appointments and charging applicants high fees, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said.
Judicial procedures were launched to apprehend 49 suspects in operations carried out in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Balikesir, Bursa and Izmir, Gurlek said in a statement on the U.S.-based social media platform X.
The investigation, coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, focuses on individuals and companies operating under the guise of visa consultancy services.
Authorities are investigating allegations that the groups used bots to access the online appointment systems of consulates and authorized intermediary institutions, securing appointments in bulk and effectively preventing citizens from obtaining appointments directly.
Investigators obtained significant findings indicating that applicants were charged large amounts under descriptions such as "software," "consultancy," and "service fees" in exchange for guarantees that visas or appointments would be obtained within specified periods, Gurlek said.
Authorities also found indications that fees were not refunded when promised services were not provided and that applicants' personal information was transferred to private digital systems.
Reviews conducted by the Tax Inspection Board under the Treasury and Finance Ministry found more than ₺2.84B ($59.49M) in financial activity in accounts linked to the companies under investigation between January 2024 and July 2026.
Authorities determined that approximately ₺918M had been collected from more than 41,000 people during the period.
A significant portion of the payments was transferred to accounts belonging to company partners and employees, while investigators also identified extensive transactions involving cash, crypto assets and precious metals, according to Gurlek.
Simultaneous operations were carried out Tuesday at 63 addresses in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Balikesir, Bursa and Izmir as authorities sought 49 suspects.
Examinations of digital materials and documents seized during searches are continuing.
Gurlek thanked the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, prosecutors, gendarmerie personnel, relevant Treasury and Finance Ministry units and other public officials involved in the investigation and operations.
He said the Justice and Interior ministries were continuing their fight against crime in coordination under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership, with prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and relevant public institutions working together.
Gurlek said authorities would continue taking action against structures believed to cause financial harm to citizens, seek illicit gains and unlawfully use personal data.
He added that authorities would continue efforts against groups that prevent citizens from accessing services provided by authorized institutions and turn that restriction into a source of illicit profit, saying attempts to exploit people's labor, money and personal data would not be allowed to escape justice.
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