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Turkish authorities on Tuesday launched simultaneous raids on visa agencies accused of exploiting applicants with promises of "guaranteed visas" and "guaranteed appointments," as an investigation examines approximately ₺370 million ($7.5 million) in payments linked to visa and consultancy services.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating individuals and companies that allegedly collected money through social media and websites without delivering the services they promised. Investigators also suspect that some operators kept all or part of the fees when applicants failed to receive the promised assistance.
The operation targeted 60 suspects across eight provinces, with authorities seeking to gather evidence and apprehend those allegedly involved in the scheme.
Investigators found evidence that automated programs were used to snap up limited appointment slots on consular websites and authorized visa application systems. The practice allegedly restricted ordinary applicants’ access to appointments and pushed them toward paid intermediaries.
Authorities also uncovered indications that applicants were charged an additional €300-€400 ($337-$449.3) per transaction for promised bot software support. Investigators are examining whether people who used the programs to secure appointments received additional payments.
The prosecutor’s office expanded the case to include aggravated fraud, the unlawful acquisition or disclosure of personal data, cybercrime and money laundering. The inquiry also covers the alleged transfer of applicants’ passport images, identity details and contact information to third parties.
Authorities are tracing payments collected through accounts belonging to companies, business partners, employees and other individuals before being routed through different accounts and financial channels.
The latest raids follow an earlier phase of the investigation in August, when authorities targeted 49 suspects across six provinces over allegations that visa consultancy companies used automated software to secure scarce appointment slots and charged applicants for access.
Investigators found that more than 41,000 people had paid approximately ₺918 million to the companies under scrutiny. A separate financial review identified more than ₺2.8 billion in transactions through accounts linked to the businesses between January 2024 and July 2026.
In June 2026, Türkiye’s Trade Ministry ordered six visa agencies to suspend their advertisements for up to three months over potentially misleading claims that they could guarantee visa appointments or approvals.
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