IBAN Rental Scams in Turkey: Criminal Liability for Foreign Account Holders (2026 Updated Guide)

Can a foreigner face criminal liability for renting or lending a Turkish bank account or IBAN? Learn what happens when scam proceeds enter a foreign national’s account, how intent is investigated, and what evidence may support a defense.

Foreign nationals living, studying, working or doing business in Turkey may sometimes be offered money in exchange for allowing another person to use their bank account, IBAN, debit card, mobile banking account or payment account. The offer may be presented as an easy commission, currency-transfer arrangement, business payment or favor for a friend. The risk becomes serious when money obtained through fraud is transferred into that account. The account holder may then become part of a Turkish criminal investigation even if another person communicated with the victim and carried out the underlying scam. For foreign account holders, the critical questions are usually whether they knew the source of the money, what they agreed to, who controlled the account and what happened to the funds after they arrived.

What Is an “IBAN Rental” Scam?

“IBAN rental” commonly describes an arrangement in which a person allows another individual to receive or transfer money through their bank account in return for a commission or other benefit.

The expression itself does not determine criminal liability. Investigators examine what actually happened and the account holder’s role in the transactions.

Why Are Foreign Account Holders Investigated?

When a fraud victim transfers money, investigators can trace the payment to the receiving bank account. The registered account holder is therefore one of the first identifiable persons in the financial chain.

A foreign national may consequently receive a police summons, prosecutor’s summons or other investigative measure even though the alleged fraud was committed online by another person.

Does Receiving Fraud Money Automatically Make the Account Holder Guilty?

Not automatically. The prosecution must establish the elements of the alleged offense and the individual’s legally relevant participation.

However, simply stating “I did not know” may not resolve the investigation where surrounding circumstances suggest that the account was deliberately made available to others.

Knowledge Is a Central Issue

One of the most important questions is what the account holder knew when allowing another person to use the account.

Investigators may examine whether the person knew that the account would be used for fraudulent transactions, accepted the possibility of unlawful use or genuinely believed that the transfers had a legitimate commercial or personal explanation.

Intent Must Be Evaluated From the Evidence

Criminal intent is rarely established by a written confession. Authorities may therefore examine surrounding facts such as unusual payment volumes, commissions, communications, rapid withdrawals, multiple unrelated victims and repeated transfers.

The defense should address these facts individually.

Renting an IBAN for Commission Creates Serious Risk

A person who receives payment merely for allowing strangers to use their bank account may have difficulty explaining the legitimate economic purpose of the arrangement.

Foreign nationals should therefore avoid giving third parties access to their banking facilities in exchange for commissions.

Giving an Account to a Friend Can Also Create Problems

The fact that the person using the account was a friend, colleague or relative does not automatically eliminate criminal risk.

The investigation may ask why that person needed another person’s account and whether the account holder understood the purpose.

Who Controlled the Mobile Banking Application?

Control of online banking can become crucial.

Investigators may examine which telephone, device, SIM card or internet connection was used to access the account and authorize transactions.

Bank Login Records Can Be Important Evidence

Where available through the investigation, technical banking information may help determine whether the account holder personally conducted transactions or whether another person controlled the account.

The defense should not rely only on oral explanations if objective digital evidence exists.

Who Had the Bank Card?

If another person physically possessed the debit card, preserve communications or other evidence explaining how and why possession was transferred.

ATM records and transaction information may also become relevant.

ATM Camera Footage May Matter

Where scam proceeds were withdrawn in cash, identifying the person who actually made the withdrawal can be important.

Because surveillance footage may not remain available indefinitely, relevant evidence should be identified promptly through lawful procedural requests.

What Happened Immediately After the Money Arrived?

Investigators often examine the movement of funds.

Was the money immediately withdrawn? Was it transferred to another account? Was cryptocurrency purchased? Did the account holder keep a commission?

The financial trail can significantly influence how the account holder’s role is interpreted.

Keeping a Percentage of the Money Can Increase Suspicion

Receiving a commission from unexplained transfers can be viewed differently from accidentally receiving a single payment.

The account holder should be prepared to explain the economic reason for any retained amount.

Multiple Victims Create Greater Exposure

If payments from several unrelated fraud victims entered the same account, investigators may examine whether the account formed part of an organized or repeated scheme.

Each transaction should be reconstructed separately.

One Transaction Should Still Be Investigated Carefully

A single transfer does not automatically establish innocence or guilt.

The surrounding communications, amount, purpose and subsequent movement of the money remain important.

WhatsApp and Messaging Records Can Be Crucial

Messages may show who requested the IBAN, what explanation was given, whether a commission was promised and who instructed the account holder to withdraw or transfer the money.

Relevant communications should be preserved rather than deleted.

Deleted Messages May Still Become Relevant

Deleting communications after learning of an investigation can create evidentiary complications. Foreign suspects should preserve potentially relevant digital material and obtain legal advice before altering devices or accounts.

Social Media Recruitment Is Commonly Relevant

A person may have responded to an advertisement promising income for receiving payments, transferring funds or facilitating transactions.

Preserve the advertisement, profile information and communications if they explain how the relationship began.

Fake Job Offers Can Lead to Account Misuse

Some individuals may genuinely believe they are working as payment agents, cryptocurrency assistants or financial intermediaries.

The investigation will nevertheless examine whether that explanation was credible in the circumstances and whether warning signs should have raised concerns.

Foreign Students Can Also Become Suspects

Students may be approached with promises of quick income for lending bank accounts.

Immigration status or student status does not prevent a criminal investigation if the account is connected with suspected fraud.

Foreign Employees Should Protect Salary Accounts

Allowing another person to use an account that normally receives salary payments can create both financial and evidentiary problems.

Personal banking credentials should not be shared.

Can the Bank Account Be Frozen?

Potentially. Where the account is connected with suspected criminal proceeds, authorities may take measures affecting funds depending on the legal circumstances and procedural requirements.

The precise decision and legal basis should be obtained immediately.

Can Money in the Account Be Seized?

Potentially. Funds considered relevant to an investigation may become subject to seizure or other protective measures under the applicable criminal procedure.

The account holder should distinguish the criminal investigation from the separate question of ownership of particular funds.

What If Legitimate Money Is Also Frozen?

A bank account may contain salary, savings or other legitimate funds in addition to disputed transfers.

The source of legitimate money should be documented with salary records, invoices, contracts or other appropriate evidence.

Can the Account Holder Recover Legitimate Funds?

Depending on the nature of the measure and procedural stage, a request for release or return may be possible.

The application should identify the disputed funds and demonstrate the legitimate source of unaffected assets as clearly as possible.

Bank Statements Should Be Reviewed Transaction by Transaction

A defense should not be prepared from memory alone.

Obtain the relevant account history and create a chronology showing incoming transfers, outgoing transfers, ATM withdrawals and the account balance.

Identify Every Alleged Victim Payment

Where several transactions are disputed, prepare a table linking each payment with the date, amount and subsequent movement.

This can reveal whether the account holder actually benefited from the funds.

Cryptocurrency Transfers Require Special Attention

Fraud proceeds are sometimes transferred onward to cryptocurrency platforms or other payment systems.

Determine who controlled the relevant account and who instructed the transfer.

Do Not Invent an Explanation for Unknown Transactions

If the account holder genuinely does not recognize a transaction, say so and investigate the records.

Creating an inaccurate explanation can cause additional credibility problems later.

Police Statements Require Careful Preparation

A foreign suspect should understand the allegation before giving a detailed statement.

The statement should address how the account was opened, who had access, why the IBAN was shared, what the account holder knew and what happened to the disputed money.

Interpreter Rights Are Important

A foreign suspect who cannot adequately understand Turkish should request effective interpretation during criminal proceedings.

They should not sign a statement whose contents they cannot understand accurately.

Incorrect Translation Should Be Raised Immediately

If the interpreter translates an important explanation incorrectly, the suspect or lawyer should seek correction before the statement is signed.

Small translation differences can materially change the apparent meaning of an explanation concerning knowledge or intent.

Should the Foreigner Give a Statement Without a Lawyer?

Criminal investigations involving bank accounts, fraud allegations and financial evidence can become complex quickly. Obtaining legal assistance before providing a detailed substantive statement can help ensure that banking and digital evidence are reviewed coherently.

What Evidence Can Support the Defense?

Depending on the case, relevant evidence may include bank statements, messages, call records, employment records, legitimate invoices, device information, ATM evidence, cryptocurrency records and communications with the person who requested use of the account.

The strongest evidence depends on the actual facts.

The Person Who Requested the IBAN Should Be Identified

Preserve telephone numbers, usernames, social-media accounts, photographs, bank information and other available identifiers.

This can help investigators reconstruct the broader scheme.

Do Not Contact Other Suspects to Coordinate Stories

Once an investigation becomes known, attempts to agree on a common explanation can create additional problems.

Evidence should be preserved and presented through lawful procedures.

Can the Account Holder Be Arrested?

The existence of suspicious transactions does not automatically mean arrest or detention will occur. Criminal-procedure measures depend on the specific allegations, evidence and statutory requirements.

Foreign nationality alone should not be treated as proof of criminal involvement.

Can a Travel Restriction Be Imposed?

Depending on the investigation and judicial decisions, criminal proceedings can potentially involve judicial-control measures affecting travel.

Any such measure should be reviewed according to its formal legal basis and the circumstances of the case.

Can the Investigation Affect Residence or Immigration Status?

Criminal proceedings and immigration proceedings are legally distinct, although developments in a criminal case may sometimes have immigration consequences depending on the circumstances.

A foreign national facing both issues should coordinate the criminal and immigration strategy rather than treating them independently.

What If the Foreigner Was Also Deceived?

Some account holders may themselves be victims of deception. Evidence showing how the person was recruited, what false explanation was provided and whether they received any meaningful benefit can become important.

The defense should document the deception rather than rely solely on an assertion of innocence.

Returning Money Does Not Automatically End the Criminal Case

Repayment to a victim may have legal relevance depending on the offense and circumstances, but it should not be assumed automatically to terminate the investigation.

Any repayment strategy should be evaluated carefully.

Do Not Transfer Disputed Funds After Learning of the Investigation

Once the account holder knows that money may be connected with fraud, moving it without understanding the legal consequences can create further complications.

Seek legal advice before taking action concerning disputed funds.

Foreign Account Holders Should Preserve Their Passport and Contact Records

Keep copies of passport information, residence documentation and current contact details available.

If authorities summon the person, failure to receive or understand notifications can create unnecessary procedural difficulties.

Immediate Defense Strategy

A foreign national whose Turkish bank account has been connected with an IBAN rental scam should immediately obtain the investigation information available through lawful procedures, preserve bank and messaging records, identify who controlled the account and bank card, reconstruct every disputed transfer, determine where the money went, preserve evidence identifying the person who requested use of the account, document legitimate income and avoid deleting communications or coordinating explanations with other suspects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lending an IBAN to another person automatically a crime in Turkey?

Criminal liability depends on the actual conduct, knowledge, intent and connection with the alleged offense. The surrounding circumstances must be examined.

What if the foreigner did not know the money came from fraud?

Knowledge and intent become central issues. Messages, transaction patterns, commissions and subsequent movement of the funds may be examined.

Can a foreigner be investigated even if they never contacted the victim?

Yes. A bank account receiving alleged fraud proceeds can lead investigators to examine the registered account holder’s role even where another person communicated with the victim.

What if another person controlled the mobile banking account?

Technical banking, device and communication evidence may become important in establishing who actually controlled transactions.

Can police examine the foreigner’s phone?

Digital evidence may become part of a criminal investigation subject to the applicable procedural requirements. The legal basis and scope of any examination should be reviewed.

Can the bank account be frozen?

Potentially, depending on the investigation and applicable legal procedure.

Can legitimate salary money be released?

Depending on the measure and circumstances, the source and ownership of legitimate funds may be raised in an application seeking appropriate relief.

Should WhatsApp messages be deleted?

No. Relevant communications may be important evidence concerning how the account was used and what the account holder knew.

Does returning the victim’s money automatically close the case?

Not necessarily. The legal consequences depend on the alleged offense, procedural stage and circumstances.

What should a foreign account holder do first?

Preserve the evidence and reconstruct the financial chain. Determine who requested the IBAN, who controlled online banking, who withdrew or transferred the money, whether any commission was retained and what communications explain the account holder’s knowledge at the time of the transactions.

Client-Focused Legal Support for Foreign Nationals in IBAN and Fraud Investigations

Foreign nationals whose bank accounts become connected with suspected fraud may face police questioning, prosecutor investigations, digital evidence examination, account freezes, seizure of funds and allegations concerning participation in online fraud. Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign nationals in Turkey with criminal investigations involving bank accounts, IBAN transfers, online fraud and disputed financial transactions. Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya provides legal assistance in reviewing investigation files, preparing statements, examining bank and digital evidence, challenging seizure measures where appropriate and coordinating criminal-defense strategy for foreign suspects.

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