Foreign Buyer Sends Property Deposit to a Fraudster in Turkey: Criminal Complaint and Asset Recovery (2026 Updated Guide)

A foreign buyer sends a property deposit to a fraudster in Turkey. Learn how to file a criminal complaint, preserve bank and digital evidence, seek asset measures and pursue recovery of the transferred money.

Foreign nationals purchasing property in Turkey can become targets of sophisticated fraud schemes involving fake property owners, unauthorized intermediaries, fraudulent real estate advertisements, false powers of attorney, forged documents or individuals pretending to represent developers or property owners. A particularly urgent situation arises when the foreign buyer transfers a substantial property deposit or purchase price and later discovers that the recipient was a fraudster. The buyer should act immediately. Criminal proceedings and recovery of the money are related but distinct issues. Filing a criminal complaint can be essential, but the victim should also consider urgent steps aimed at tracing the transfer, identifying the recipient, preserving digital evidence and preventing dissipation of recoverable assets.

How Does Property Deposit Fraud Occur in Turkey?

Property fraud can take many forms. A person may falsely claim to own a property, impersonate the actual owner, pretend to hold authority under a power of attorney, advertise a property without authorization, present forged title documents or convince the buyer that a bank account belongs to the seller when it actually belongs to another person.

Foreign buyers can be particularly vulnerable when transactions are conducted remotely.

Act Immediately After Discovering the Fraud

Time can be critical. Money transferred into a fraudulent account may rapidly be withdrawn, transferred to other accounts, converted into different assets or sent to third parties.

The buyer should preserve all evidence and seek legal assistance without waiting to see whether the fraudster voluntarily returns the money.

Contact the Bank Immediately

The sending bank should be informed that the transaction is disputed as potentially fraudulent.

Depending on the circumstances and timing, the bank may be able to communicate with the receiving institution or initiate internal fraud procedures. However, the buyer should not assume that contacting the bank alone will recover the money.

Preserve the Bank Transfer Receipt

Keep the complete transfer record showing the sender, recipient, account information, date, amount, currency and payment explanation.

If the payment was made through several transactions, preserve each transaction separately.

The Payment Description Can Be Important

A transfer description such as “property deposit,” “apartment purchase,” “reservation payment” or another transaction-specific explanation can help establish why the money was transferred.

An unexplained transfer does not automatically prevent a claim, but additional evidence may be needed to demonstrate its purpose.

Preserve All WhatsApp and Messaging Records

Do not delete conversations with the alleged seller, agent or intermediary.

Preserve messages concerning the property, price, deposit, bank account, title deed, meeting arrangements and representations about ownership.

Screenshots can be useful, but the original electronic records should also be preserved.

Save the Entire Conversation

A few selected messages may not provide the full context. Preserve the conversation from the beginning, including dates, phone numbers, profile information and attachments.

Preserve the Property Advertisement

If the transaction began through an online advertisement, preserve screenshots showing the property, price, contact details, photographs and platform information.

Online advertisements can disappear immediately after the fraud is completed.

Preserve Emails and Documents

Keep emails, reservation forms, preliminary agreements, identification documents, purported title deeds, powers of attorney, invoices and other documents sent by the suspected fraudster.

Do not alter the original files.

Verify the Actual Property Ownership

One of the first factual questions is whether the alleged seller actually owns the property.

The title status and identity of the registered owner should be examined through the appropriate legal channels.

What If the Fraudster Used a Real Property?

A fraudster may advertise a genuine apartment or villa that belongs to an unrelated third party.

The fact that the property exists does not mean that the person receiving the deposit had authority to sell it.

Fake Title Deeds Can Be Used

Foreign buyers should not assume that a photograph or PDF purporting to show a title deed proves ownership.

The document should be verified against official records.

Fraud Through a Fake Real Estate Agent

A person may claim to be acting as a real estate agent without authorization from the owner.

The investigation should establish whether the property owner ever instructed the intermediary to collect money.

Fraud by an Actual Intermediary

The situation can be more complicated where the intermediary genuinely had some role in the transaction but exceeded their authority or diverted the buyer’s funds.

The scope of the person’s authority should be investigated carefully.

Fake Power of Attorney Fraud

A fraudster may present a false or altered power of attorney or misuse a genuine power of attorney for purposes beyond its scope.

The authenticity and scope of the document should be verified.

Can the Foreign Buyer File a Criminal Complaint?

Yes. A foreign national who believes they have been defrauded in connection with a Turkish property transaction can pursue the appropriate criminal complaint process in Turkey.

The complaint should explain the transaction chronologically and attach the available evidence.

Where Can the Criminal Complaint Be Filed?

Depending on the circumstances, a complaint may be submitted to the competent public prosecutor or law-enforcement authorities.

Jurisdictional issues can depend on where relevant acts occurred and other facts of the case.

What Should the Complaint Explain?

The complaint should identify, where known, the suspected person, property, amount transferred, bank account, representations made, documents provided and the moment when the buyer discovered the suspected fraud.

A clear chronology can substantially improve the comprehensibility of the file.

Do Not Submit Only a Short Fraud Allegation

A detailed evidence package can be more useful than simply stating that money was stolen.

Organize bank records, communications, advertisements and property information systematically.

Bank Account Identification Is Critical

If the buyer transferred money to a Turkish bank account, the account can provide an important investigative lead.

The identity of the account holder and movement of funds may become relevant to the investigation.

What If the Account Belongs to Someone Else?

Fraudsters sometimes use accounts belonging to third parties.

The investigation may therefore need to determine whether the account holder knowingly participated, allowed another person to use the account or was themselves deceived.

Follow the Money

Asset recovery often depends on determining what happened immediately after the victim’s transfer.

The money may have been withdrawn in cash, transferred to another account, divided among several accounts or used to acquire assets.

Can Bank Accounts Be Frozen?

Depending on the evidence and applicable criminal-procedure requirements, measures concerning suspected criminal proceeds or relevant assets may potentially be considered by the competent authorities.

The victim cannot personally freeze another person’s account merely by requesting it from the bank.

Urgent Legal Action Can Matter

If substantial funds remain identifiable, delays can reduce the possibility of effective recovery.

The complaint should therefore clearly explain why immediate preservation of relevant financial evidence or assets may be necessary.

Can Real Estate Owned by the Fraudster Be Identified?

Where legally relevant, investigation and enforcement mechanisms may be used to determine whether the suspect owns recoverable property.

Asset identification should be coordinated with the legal route being pursued.

Vehicles and Other Assets May Also Matter

Recoverable assets are not limited to bank accounts.

Depending on the circumstances, vehicles, real estate, company interests and other property may become relevant to recovery strategy.

Criminal Complaint Does Not Automatically Return the Money

This distinction is extremely important.

A criminal investigation focuses on whether a crime occurred and who is responsible. The victim’s financial recovery may require additional procedural steps depending on the circumstances.

Consider Civil Recovery Options

The buyer should assess whether a civil claim can be pursued against the recipient or other legally responsible persons.

The appropriate claim depends on how the fraud occurred and who received or retained the money.

Precautionary Measures May Be Important

Where the legal requirements are satisfied, temporary measures aimed at preventing disposal of assets may need to be evaluated.

The appropriate mechanism depends on the nature of the claim and evidence available.

Criminal and Civil Strategies Should Be Coordinated

The strongest approach may involve parallel analysis of criminal investigation, civil recovery and enforcement possibilities.

Actions in one proceeding should not unnecessarily undermine the position taken in another.

What If the Fraudster Promises to Repay?

Promises of repayment should be treated cautiously.

A suspect may promise to return the money simply to delay a complaint while assets are transferred elsewhere.

Any settlement proposal should be evaluated carefully.

Do Not Delete Evidence After Receiving a Refund Promise

Preserve all communications even if negotiations begin.

Messages admitting receipt of the money or promising repayment can become important evidence.

What If Only Part of the Money Is Returned?

Partial repayment does not necessarily resolve the legal consequences of the underlying conduct.

Document exactly what amount was returned and when.

Foreign Buyer Paid in Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency can make tracing more complex, but the buyer should still preserve wallet addresses, transaction hashes, exchange records, screenshots and communications.

Where a regulated exchange was involved, records may provide investigative leads.

Cash Payments Are More Difficult but Not Impossible

Where the buyer paid cash, evidence concerning delivery becomes particularly important.

Witnesses, receipts, messages, meeting records, security cameras and admissions by the recipient may become relevant.

Property Reservation Agreements Can Be Evidence

A written reservation or deposit agreement can help establish why the payment was made.

However, the existence of an agreement does not automatically mean the transaction was legitimate.

Forged Contracts Should Be Preserved

Do not destroy a document merely because it appears fake.

The document itself may provide evidence concerning signatures, identities, contact information and the method used to commit the alleged fraud.

Identity Documents May Also Be Fake

A passport or identity card sent by the fraudster should not automatically be assumed to belong to that person.

Identity theft is possible.

Telephone Numbers Can Become Investigative Evidence

Preserve all numbers used by the suspected fraudster, including international numbers and numbers later disconnected.

Messaging profiles and call records may assist identification depending on the investigation.

IP and Digital Evidence May Become Relevant

Where the fraud was conducted online, digital evidence concerning accounts, platforms and communications may become important.

Such evidence can disappear, so preservation should be considered early.

What If the Fraudster Has Left Turkey?

Leaving Turkey does not necessarily end the investigation.

The appropriate response depends on the suspect’s identity, location, seriousness of the alleged offense and available international cooperation mechanisms.

What If the Buyer Is Outside Turkey?

A foreign victim does not necessarily need to abandon the case simply because they have returned abroad.

Representation through a properly prepared power of attorney may allow substantial parts of the legal process to be handled in Turkey, subject to procedural requirements.

Interpreter Rights Matter

A foreign victim who does not speak Turkish should ensure that statements are accurately understood and recorded.

The victim should never sign a statement whose contents they do not understand.

Check the Statement Before Signing

Names, amounts, dates, bank details and sequence of events should be reviewed carefully.

Translation errors can create major problems in a financial fraud investigation.

Multiple Victims May Exist

Property fraud schemes sometimes target several foreign buyers.

Evidence that the same person used similar representations against multiple victims can materially change the factual scope of the investigation.

Search for Connected Companies

The fraudster may operate through a company, agency or purported consultancy.

Corporate records and relationships may therefore become relevant.

Company Liability and Individual Liability Should Be Distinguished

The fact that money was paid to a company account does not automatically resolve who is personally responsible.

The investigation should identify the individuals who made the representations and controlled the transaction.

Beware of Secondary Recovery Scams

Victims of property fraud can later be targeted by people promising guaranteed recovery in exchange for another advance payment.

Avoid transferring further funds without verifying the person and legal basis for the requested payment.

Can the Buyer Recover Currency Exchange Losses?

The recoverable amount and additional losses depend on the legal basis of the claim and circumstances.

Keep records showing the original currency, exchange transaction and subsequent financial consequences.

Interest May Also Become Relevant

Depending on the legal claim and procedural route, interest may be sought in addition to the principal amount.

The relevant starting date requires case-specific analysis.

Preserve Evidence of Additional Losses

If the fraud caused bank charges, travel expenses or other direct losses, preserve invoices and payment records.

Whether each category is recoverable is a separate legal question.

Do Not Wait for the Fraudster to Disappear

The period immediately after discovery is often the most important.

Bank information, digital accounts and assets may be easier to identify before the suspect realizes that formal proceedings have begun.

Immediate Action Plan for Foreign Buyers

A foreign buyer who discovers that a Turkish property deposit was sent to a suspected fraudster should immediately preserve bank records and communications, contact the sending bank, verify actual property ownership, preserve advertisements and documents, identify the receiving account, prepare a detailed chronology, consider filing a criminal complaint, request appropriate investigation of the money trail, assess urgent asset-preservation possibilities and evaluate parallel civil recovery options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign buyer file a criminal complaint in Turkey?

Yes. Foreign nationality does not prevent a victim from pursuing the appropriate criminal complaint process concerning suspected fraud committed in connection with Turkey.

Can the bank reverse the property deposit?

Possibly in limited circumstances, particularly where action is extremely prompt, but reversal should never be assumed. The bank should be contacted immediately.

Can the fraudster’s bank account be frozen?

Potentially, where the applicable legal requirements for an official measure are satisfied. A victim cannot personally order another person’s account frozen.

What if the bank account belongs to someone other than the fraudster?

The role of the account holder should be investigated. Third-party accounts are frequently important in financial fraud cases.

Can the foreign buyer recover the money through the criminal case?

Criminal proceedings and financial recovery are related but distinct. Additional civil or enforcement measures may need to be considered.

What if the fraudster used a fake title deed?

Preserve the document and verify the actual title records. A forged document may itself become important evidence.

Can the case continue if the foreign buyer leaves Turkey?

Potentially, yes. Appropriate representation in Turkey can be considered depending on the procedural requirements.

What if the buyer paid cryptocurrency?

Preserve transaction hashes, wallet addresses, exchange information and communications immediately.

Should the buyer wait if the fraudster promises repayment?

Delay can increase asset-recovery risk. Any repayment negotiations should be managed without losing evidence or overlooking available legal remedies.

What is the most important step after discovering property deposit fraud?

Act quickly to preserve the money trail. Bank records, receiving-account information, digital communications, property records and evidence of the fraudster’s representations should be secured while criminal, civil and asset-recovery options are evaluated simultaneously.

Client-Focused Legal Support for Foreign Victims of Property Fraud in Turkey

Property deposit fraud can involve false sellers, fake real estate agents, forged title documents, fraudulent powers of attorney, third-party bank accounts, digital evidence and rapid movement of transferred funds. Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign property buyers who have transferred deposits or purchase funds in suspected real estate fraud cases in Turkey. Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya provides legal assistance in preparing criminal complaints, preserving banking and digital evidence, following financial investigations, evaluating urgent asset measures and coordinating criminal proceedings with civil recovery claims.

Phone: +90 312 434 22 22

Mobile: +90 532 769 22 22

Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr

Address: Mevlana Boulevard No:221, Yıldırım Tower, Office No:148, 06520 Balgat, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey