Foreign Buyer Is a Victim of Identity Theft in a Turkish Property Transaction: How Can the Title Deed Be Protected? (2026 Updated Guide)

A foreign property buyer becomes a victim of identity theft, forged documents or an unauthorized title transfer in Turkey. Learn how to protect the title deed, challenge fraudulent registration, preserve evidence and prevent further transfers.

Foreign investors purchasing real estate in Turkey may assume that the greatest risks arise before the purchase: false advertisements, hidden mortgages, zoning problems, unauthorized construction or sellers who do not actually own the property. However, a different and potentially more urgent problem can arise when a fraudster obtains or misuses the foreign buyer’s identity information and attempts to conduct a property transaction without genuine authorization.

The fraud may involve a forged passport, false identity documents, a fabricated or altered power of attorney, unauthorized access to personal information, impersonation of the owner, fraudulent signatures or a coordinated attempt to sell or mortgage property belonging to the foreign investor.

In the most serious cases, the owner discovers the fraud only after checking the title record and seeing that the property has already been transferred to another person or encumbered with a right that the owner never authorized.

For a foreign property owner, identity theft connected with the title deed should therefore be treated as an emergency property-protection problem, not merely as an ordinary fraud complaint.

The first questions should be:

Has the fraudulent transaction only been attempted, or has a title transaction already been completed?

Is the property still registered in the victim’s name?

Has it been transferred again to another person?

Has a mortgage, attachment or another right been registered?

Can another transaction occur before judicial protection is obtained?

The answers determine the legal strategy.

Identity Theft Can Affect a Property Transaction in Several Ways

Property-related identity fraud does not always follow the same pattern.

A fraudster may:

impersonate the property owner,

use a forged passport or identification document,

present a forged power of attorney,

alter a genuine power of attorney,

use a revoked power of attorney,

exceed the authority granted under a genuine power of attorney,

forge signatures,

misrepresent themselves as the authorized representative,

or

use stolen personal information to initiate a transaction.

TKGM itself identifies identity checks and power-of-attorney forgery among the issues that must be considered in combating fraudulent title transactions.

Foreign Owners Can Be Particularly Vulnerable

A foreign investor may spend only part of the year in Turkey.

The owner may therefore not immediately notice:

unexpected title applications,

fraudulent communications,

attempts to obtain duplicate documents,

or

activity concerning the property.

The risk can increase where the investor has previously shared copies of passports, tax numbers, title records and powers of attorney with numerous intermediaries during the purchase process.

This makes continuing title protection important even after the original acquisition has been completed.

A Copy of a Passport Should Be Treated as Sensitive Transaction Information

Foreign buyers routinely provide passport copies during:

property purchases,

banking procedures,

tax registration,

translation,

notarial transactions,

residence procedures,

utility applications,

and

other administrative processes.

The fact that a third party possesses a passport copy does not itself authorize a property transaction.

Nevertheless, misuse of personal documents can become part of a broader impersonation or forgery scheme.

Foreign investors should therefore control how transaction documents are distributed and retain records of who received them.

Forged Powers of Attorney Are a Major Risk

Many foreign investors conduct Turkish property transactions through representatives.

A legitimate power of attorney can be an efficient tool, particularly when the investor is abroad.

However, powers of attorney can also become central to fraud.

Potential problems include:

completely fabricated powers of attorney,

altered authority clauses,

forged apostilles,

false translations,

revoked powers being presented as valid,

and

representatives acting outside the actual scope of authority.

TKGM’s anti-fraud materials expressly identify forgery involving powers of attorney, including the scope and duration of authority, as a fraud-control issue.

Never Treat a Power of Attorney as a General Permission

The existence of a power of attorney does not answer whether the representative was authorized to perform the exact transaction.

The document should be examined for:

identity of the principal,

identity of the representative,

property-related authority,

sale authority,

mortgage authority,

price-related powers,

authority to receive money,

substitution authority,

limitations,

revocation,

and

duration where relevant.

A representative authorized for one purpose should not automatically be assumed to have unrestricted power over the investor’s real estate.

The First Step Is to Determine Whether the Property Is Still Registered to the Victim

When identity theft is discovered, immediately obtain and examine the current title position.

The investigation should determine:

current registered owner,

date of the latest transaction,

transaction type,

registered mortgages,

attachments,

annotations,

declarations,

and

other registered rights.

Do not rely on an old title deed document.

The decisive issue is the current registry position.

An Old Title Deed Does Not Prove Current Ownership

A foreign investor may physically possess the original title deed document while the registry has changed.

The paper document itself is not a guarantee that no later registration has occurred.

The current title record must therefore be checked.

If the Fraudulent Transaction Has Not Yet Been Completed, Speed Is Critical

The legal strategy is substantially stronger where suspicious activity is detected before ownership has been transferred.

If the owner receives an unexpected notification or learns that someone is attempting to initiate a transaction, the relevant title authority should be contacted immediately and the situation documented.

TKGM explains that its notification mechanisms are intended to allow property owners to learn about transactions initiated concerning their property so that they can intervene when the transaction was not initiated with their knowledge or consent.

Do Not Ignore Unexpected Title Transaction Messages

An unexpected notification concerning a property transaction should never be dismissed as spam without verification.

It may indicate:

a legitimate administrative process,

an incorrect application,

or

an attempted fraudulent transaction.

The owner should independently verify the status through official channels rather than contacting telephone numbers supplied by an unknown sender.

Web Tapu Provides an Important Preventive Measure

TKGM’s Web Tapu system includes a particularly valuable security feature.

The property owner can establish a declaration preventing dispositive transactions unless the owner personally appears. TKGM describes this feature as allowing the owner to place a declaration equivalent to “no dispositive transaction may be carried out unless the owner personally appears,” thereby preventing transactions through a representative while the declaration remains effective.

For an investor concerned about unauthorized powers of attorney, this can provide an important additional layer of protection.

The Personal-Appearance Declaration Has Practical Consequences

This protective measure should not be activated without understanding its effect.

If the investor later wants a lawyer or another representative to complete a legitimate transaction through a power of attorney, the declaration may need to be addressed before that transaction can proceed.

It is therefore a strong anti-fraud measure but should be managed consistently with the investor’s actual transaction plans.

Keep Contact Information Current

Notification systems are useful only if the owner can actually receive the warning.

TKGM states that property owners can register current telephone information and receive SMS notification when transactions concerning their registered property are initiated.

Foreign owners who change their Turkish telephone number or spend extended periods abroad should therefore consider whether their registered contact information remains functional.

Electronic Identity Verification Is Part of the Anti-Fraud Framework

TKGM states that electronic identity-verification systems are used as part of measures intended to prevent forgery and irregularity and protect the security of the land registry. It also notes the principle under Article 1007 of the Turkish Civil Code that the State is responsible for damage arising from maintenance of the land registry.

These safeguards materially improve transaction security, but they do not mean that identity fraud can never occur.

What if the Fraudulent Transfer Has Already Been Registered?

The legal position becomes substantially more serious.

At this stage, a criminal complaint alone may not restore ownership.

The victim must investigate the title-registration consequences of the fraudulent transaction and determine whether civil proceedings concerning the registration are required.

This distinction is critical.

Criminal Proceedings and Title Recovery Are Different Tracks

A foreign investor may naturally report the matter as fraud or forgery.

That can be necessary.

However, criminal prosecution addresses criminal responsibility.

The property owner must separately ask:

How will the fraudulent title registration be cancelled?

How will ownership be restored?

How will another transfer be prevented while the case is pending?

These questions require a property-law strategy.

Fraudulent Registration May Constitute an Unlawful Registration

Where ownership was transferred without the genuine owner’s consent through forged identity documents, a fabricated power of attorney or another legally invalid basis, the resulting registration may be challenged as an unlawful registration depending on the circumstances.

The precise legal route depends on:

the fraudulent document,

transaction history,

current registered owner,

subsequent transfers,

and

whether third parties later acquired rights.

A Title Cancellation and Registration Claim May Become Necessary

Where the property is no longer registered to the true owner, litigation may be required seeking cancellation of the disputed registration and restoration of the correct ownership position.

The case should be structured around the exact registration chain.

It is not enough merely to prove that a crime occurred.

The court must be able to determine:

which registration is unlawful,

which later registrations are affected,

and

what the legally correct registry position should be.

Obtain the Entire Transaction File

One of the first evidentiary steps should be to obtain the documentation underlying the suspicious title transaction.

Relevant materials may include:

application documents,

identity documents presented,

power of attorney,

translations,

official transaction documents,

signatures,

payment information,

representative information,

and

other material maintained in connection with the transaction.

TKGM’s data-sharing rules allow owners, rights holders and persons demonstrating a credible legal interest to request relevant registry information and document copies under the applicable procedures.

Compare the Fraudulent Documents With Genuine Documents

If a false passport or power of attorney was used, preserve genuine comparison material.

This may include:

original passport records,

previous signatures,

genuine notarized powers of attorney,

consular records,

travel records,

immigration records,

and

communications showing the investor’s actual location.

The objective is to create a clear evidentiary distinction between the true owner and the impersonator.

The Owner’s Location on the Transaction Date Can Be Powerful Evidence

Suppose the fraudulent sale allegedly occurred with the foreign owner personally appearing in Turkey.

If reliable evidence shows that the investor was abroad on that date, this can become highly significant.

Potential evidence may include:

passport movements,

travel records,

flight information,

hotel records,

employment records,

and

other contemporaneous documentation.

This evidence should be preserved quickly.

CCTV and Transaction-Security Evidence May Matter

TKGM states that service areas, particularly locations where contractual transactions are taken, are recorded by security cameras as part of the measures used to prevent irregularity and protect title security.

Where identity impersonation is alleged, the availability and preservation of relevant recordings should be investigated without delay.

Digital or physical evidence may not remain available indefinitely.

Signature Examination May Be Necessary

Where the disputed transaction contains a signature allegedly belonging to the foreign owner, expert examination may become important.

Preserve genuine signatures from approximately the relevant period where possible.

A dispute should not rely solely on statements such as:

“That does not look like my signature.”

The evidentiary record should be developed systematically.

Forged Notarial Documents Require Separate Investigation

If a purported power of attorney was used, determine:

which notary or authority allegedly issued it,

date of issue,

document number,

identity information,

scope of authority,

translation details,

and

whether the document can be authenticated through official records.

If the document was allegedly executed abroad, investigate:

the foreign issuing authority,

apostille or legalization,

consular procedures,

translation,

and

the document’s use in Turkey.

A Genuine Power of Attorney Can Still Be Misused

Not every unauthorized transaction involves a completely forged document.

A representative may possess a genuine power of attorney but allegedly:

exceed authority,

use it after revocation,

act contrary to limitations,

transfer to a related party,

or

misuse authority for personal benefit.

The original instrument and transaction chronology should therefore be examined even when the document itself is authentic.

Revocation Evidence Should Be Preserved

If the investor previously revoked the representative’s authority, obtain proof of:

revocation date,

notification,

notarial records,

communications,

and

any relevant registry or administrative notifications.

The timing may be decisive.

Immediate Judicial Protection May Be Necessary

If the property has been fraudulently transferred but remains registered to the first fraudulent transferee, the risk may not be over.

The transferee may attempt to:

sell it again,

mortgage it,

create another registered right,

or

otherwise complicate recovery.

The victim should therefore consider whether urgent provisional judicial protection is available.

An Interim Injunction Can Be Critical

Depending on the circumstances, an interim measure concerning the title record may be sought to prevent further transactions while the ownership dispute is adjudicated.

The purpose is practical:

preserve the property until the court decides who legally owns it.

Without timely protection, the dispute may become significantly more complicated.

Do Not Wait for the Criminal Case to Finish Before Considering Property Protection

A serious mistake is to assume:

“We filed a criminal complaint, so the property is protected.”

That should never be assumed.

The criminal investigation and the title-protection strategy should be coordinated, but they are not identical.

If another transfer is legally possible, waiting for the criminal proceedings to conclude may increase the risk.

Subsequent Transfers Can Fundamentally Change the Case

Suppose a fraudster impersonates the owner and transfers the property to Person A.

Person A then sells it to Person B.

The legal dispute is now more complicated than a case involving only the original fraudulent transferee.

The Turkish Civil Code contains important rules concerning reliance on the land registry and acquisition by third parties.

Good-Faith Third-Party Acquisition Is a Central Risk

The title registry system protects reliance on the registry in defined circumstances.

Therefore, once an unlawful registration appears in the registry, a later third party may argue that they relied on that registration in good faith.

This makes speed extremely important.

The legal analysis should focus not only on the original identity theft but also on every subsequent acquisition.

Good Faith Is Not Merely What the Buyer Claims

A subsequent purchaser may say:

“I did not know about the fraud.”

That statement alone does not necessarily resolve the issue.

The case may require examination of whether the subsequent purchaser knew or should have known about the defect.

Relevant circumstances can include:

relationship between the parties,

unusual sale price,

rapid consecutive transfers,

payment history,

possession,

communications,

and

other suspicious circumstances.

Related-Party Transfers Require Careful Investigation

Fraudulent property schemes may involve rapid transfers between:

relatives,

business partners,

controlled companies,

or

other connected persons.

The entire ownership chain should therefore be mapped.

Do not examine only the person currently shown on the title.

A Mortgage Can Also Complicate Recovery

Instead of selling the property, a fraudulent registered owner may attempt to mortgage it.

The victim should therefore check for:

mortgages,

attachments,

rights in rem,

annotations,

and

other encumbrances.

Each registered right may require separate analysis.

The Registry Should Be Monitored Throughout the Dispute

Obtaining one title record at the beginning of the case is not enough.

Until effective protection is in place, the investor should monitor whether:

ownership changes,

a mortgage appears,

another annotation is registered,

or

new proceedings affect the property.

A fraud case can evolve quickly.

State Liability May Become Relevant in Appropriate Cases

Article 1007 of the Turkish Civil Code establishes State responsibility for damage arising from maintenance of the land registry. TKGM itself expressly refers to this principle in its guidance concerning title security and identity verification.

However, the existence of this principle does not mean that every fraud victim automatically receives compensation from the State.

The legal basis, causation, loss, registry process and other circumstances must be examined.

Title Recovery and Compensation Should Be Distinguished

The victim’s primary objective may be recovery of the property.

In other circumstances, restoration may become legally or practically more difficult, and compensation issues may become central.

The investor should therefore distinguish:

recovery of ownership

from

recovery of financial loss.

The appropriate defendants and legal basis may differ.

Purchase Price Loss Is Not the Only Potential Damage

Depending on the case, losses may include:

property value,

rental income,

financing costs,

legal expenses recoverable under applicable rules,

losses arising from encumbrances,

and

other direct financial consequences.

Loss calculations should be documented rather than estimated casually.

Report the Identity Theft Quickly

Where forged documents, fraudulent impersonation or unauthorized signatures are suspected, criminal-law remedies should be evaluated promptly.

Preserve:

documents,

messages,

telephone records,

emails,

bank transfers,

IP-related information where available,

broker communications,

and

information identifying intermediaries.

Delay can make digital evidence more difficult to obtain.

Do Not Confront the Suspected Fraudster Before Preserving Evidence

Immediate confrontation may cause:

messages to be deleted,

accounts to disappear,

documents to be destroyed,

or

another property transfer to be attempted.

Evidence preservation and property protection should normally be planned before alerting suspected participants.

Preserve Messaging Applications Properly

If the fraud involved WhatsApp, Telegram, email or another platform, do not preserve only isolated screenshots.

Where possible, retain:

full conversation history,

contact details,

dates,

attachments,

voice messages,

documents,

and

device-level records.

Context can be as important as individual messages.

Bank Records Can Reveal the Transaction Structure

A fraudulent title transaction may involve a claimed purchase price.

Investigate:

who paid,

who received funds,

which bank accounts were used,

whether the amount corresponds with the declared transaction,

and

whether money moved among connected parties.

Financial records can be relevant to both criminal and civil proceedings.

Brokers and Intermediaries Should Be Identified

The fraud may involve more than the person appearing as buyer or representative.

Identify:

real estate agents,

interpreters,

consultants,

representatives,

document handlers,

and

other participants.

Determine what each person knew and what documents they received.

Translation Issues Should Be Investigated

Foreign property owners often rely on translations.

If a fraudulent power of attorney or transaction document involved translated material, investigate:

who translated it,

what original document was used,

whether the translation accurately reflected the document,

and

whether the translator’s records can identify the person who presented it.

Never Send Original Transaction Documents to Unknown Parties

Foreign investors should be particularly cautious when someone claiming to be:

a broker,

potential buyer,

bank employee,

title officer,

lawyer,

or

consultant

requests sensitive documents through an unverified messaging account.

The identity of the recipient should be independently confirmed.

Do Not Share e-Government Credentials

The investor should never give e-government passwords or similar personal access credentials to brokers, buyers or informal intermediaries.

A legitimate transaction should be structured through lawful authorization mechanisms rather than by handing over personal login credentials.

Review Powers of Attorney After the Transaction Ends

A foreign buyer may grant a broad power of attorney to complete:

property purchase,

utility registration,

tax matters,

or

related procedures.

After those tasks are complete, review whether the authority remains necessary.

If not, consider whether revocation is appropriate.

Long-forgotten broad powers can create unnecessary future risk.

Use Narrowly Drafted Powers Where Appropriate

Where practical, the power of attorney can be tailored to:

specific property,

specific transaction,

specific authority,

and

defined financial powers.

Avoid unnecessary authority where the representative does not need it.

The exact drafting should reflect the intended transaction.

Keep a Complete Property File

Foreign owners should retain:

title documents,

purchase agreement,

bank-payment records,

valuation materials,

powers of attorney,

translations,

tax documents,

identity documents used in the transaction,

broker communications,

and

official application records.

If fraud occurs years later, this file can become crucial.

Web Tapu Should Be Part of Post-Purchase Security

Foreign investors often think of Web Tapu only as a transaction application platform.

It can also be relevant to post-acquisition security.

TKGM explains that Web Tapu allows owners to access property information and provides security-related functions integrated with the land registry system.

Owners should therefore consider title monitoring part of continuing property management.

Verify Unexpected Applications Immediately

TKGM provides mechanisms for following application status and transaction stages, including applications involving representatives.

If an investor becomes aware of an application they did not initiate, immediate verification can make the difference between preventing a transaction and litigating after completion.

Foreign Owners Living Abroad Should Have an Emergency Protocol

An investor who spends most of the year outside Turkey should know in advance:

who will be contacted if suspicious title activity appears,

where original property records are stored,

which lawyer has access to necessary documentation,

and

how current title information can be obtained quickly.

Identity theft is a situation in which delay can materially affect the legal position.

What if the Fraud Is Discovered During a Planned Sale?

The investor should not proceed as if nothing happened.

First determine:

whether the title is still correct,

whether a suspicious application exists,

whether an unauthorized annotation or encumbrance has appeared,

and

whether any identity documents or powers have been compromised.

A legitimate sale can resume after the security problem is understood.

What if the Buyer Paid Money to an Impersonator?

Identity theft can also target the purchaser rather than the registered owner.

A foreign buyer may believe they are dealing with the actual property owner and transfer:

a deposit,

reservation payment,

or

full purchase price

to a fraudster.

In that case, the legal strategy may involve fraud, restitution, banking evidence and asset-preservation measures even if no valid title transfer ever occurred.

Verify the Seller Before Paying the Purchase Price

A foreign buyer should not transfer substantial funds merely because someone provides:

a title deed photograph,

passport copy,

property video,

or

signed-looking contract.

Before payment, verify:

current title ownership,

seller identity,

authority of any representative,

encumbrances,

and

the actual transaction structure.

A Title Deed Photograph Is Not Proof of Current Authority to Sell

Fraudsters can obtain old or copied title documents.

The buyer should verify the current registry rather than treating an image sent through a messaging application as conclusive proof of ownership.

The Representative’s Identity Must Also Be Verified

If the seller acts through a representative, the buyer should investigate both:

the seller’s ownership,

and

the representative’s legal authority.

The existence of a document called a “power of attorney” is not enough.

Its authenticity and scope matter.

Avoid Paying the Representative Personally Without Legal Review

A power to sell property does not necessarily mean the representative is authorized to receive the purchase price personally.

The payment authority should be examined separately.

This is particularly important in cross-border property transactions.

Identity Theft Can Affect Citizenship-by-Investment Transactions

Where a property acquisition forms part of a citizenship investment strategy, identity fraud can have additional consequences.

A disputed title transfer may affect:

ownership,

investment documentation,

valuation,

citizenship procedures,

and

the investor’s ability to maintain required restrictions.

Property recovery and immigration consequences may therefore need to be coordinated.

Foreign Investor Due Diligence Should Include Fraud Prevention

Traditional due diligence asks:

Does the seller own the property?

Are there mortgages?

Is the building legal?

Is zoning suitable?

Fraud-prevention due diligence should add:

Is the person appearing as seller genuinely the owner?

Is the representative genuinely authorized?

Are the identity documents authentic?

Has the power of attorney been verified?

Where is the purchase price going?

Does the transaction structure make commercial sense?

These questions can prevent catastrophic losses.

Emergency Action Plan After Discovering Identity Theft

When suspicious activity is discovered, the foreign owner should generally focus immediately on four parallel files.

Title file: Obtain the current registry and complete transaction history.

Protection file: Determine whether urgent measures are necessary to prevent further disposition.

Evidence file: Preserve identity documents, powers of attorney, communications, payment records, travel evidence and transaction documentation.

Criminal file: Evaluate the appropriate complaint and investigative requests concerning forgery, fraud, impersonation and related conduct.

These files should be coordinated rather than handled sequentially.

2026 Practical Legal Strategy

A foreign buyer or property owner who becomes a victim of identity theft in a Turkish real estate transaction should first determine whether the fraud is still at the attempt stage or whether the registry has already changed. This distinction controls the urgency and structure of the response.

If ownership remains intact, preventive action should focus on stopping the suspicious transaction and strengthening registry security. TKGM provides SMS-based transaction notification mechanisms and Web Tapu functionality allowing an owner to place a declaration preventing dispositive transactions unless the owner personally appears.

If ownership has already been transferred, obtain the complete transaction file and map every subsequent registration immediately. The analysis should identify the fraudulent instrument, the first transferee, subsequent purchasers, mortgages and other registered rights. The longer the registration chain becomes, the more complex the dispute can become because Turkish property law contains protections concerning reliance on the land registry.

At the same time, consider urgent judicial protection. Filing a criminal complaint should not be assumed to freeze the property automatically. Where another sale or encumbrance is possible, provisional civil measures may be essential to preserve the disputed property while ownership is determined.

The evidentiary strategy should focus on objective proof. Passport and travel records, genuine signatures, authentic powers of attorney, revocation documents, bank records, official transaction documents and potentially available security recordings can be significantly more persuasive than general allegations of impersonation. TKGM confirms that electronic identity-verification systems and camera-based security measures form part of its anti-fraud title-security framework.

Finally, prevention should continue after the immediate dispute is resolved. Foreign owners should keep their contact information current, monitor their title records, control the distribution of passport and title documents, review outstanding powers of attorney and consider Web Tapu’s personal-appearance declaration where appropriate.

Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya can examine the title history, disputed transaction documents, powers of attorney, identity evidence and subsequent transfers to determine whether urgent title protection, title cancellation and registration proceedings, criminal measures or compensation claims should be pursued.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a foreign property owner do immediately after discovering identity theft?

Obtain the current title record immediately and determine whether the property is still registered in the owner’s name. If a suspicious transaction is pending or a fraudulent transfer has occurred, urgent title-protection, evidence-preservation and criminal-law measures should be evaluated simultaneously.

Can someone sell my property in Turkey using a forged power of attorney?

A forged document does not create genuine authority merely because it appears to be a power of attorney. If it has been used in a completed title transaction, however, the resulting registry consequences must be addressed urgently.

Can I prevent transactions through a power of attorney?

TKGM states that Web Tapu allows owners to place a declaration preventing dispositive transactions unless the owner personally appears. This is designed as an additional measure against fraudulent representative transactions.

Can I receive a warning when someone starts a transaction concerning my property?

TKGM provides an SMS notification mechanism linked to registered telephone information so owners can be informed when a transaction concerning their property is initiated.

Does filing a criminal complaint automatically return the property to me?

No. Criminal proceedings and restoration of the title registry are different legal issues. Where the registry has already changed, civil property-law proceedings may also be necessary.

Can a fraudulent title registration be cancelled?

Potentially. Where a registration lacks a valid legal basis because of forgery, impersonation or another defect, cancellation and restoration of the correct registry position may be pursued depending on the circumstances and subsequent transactions.

What if the fraudster has already sold the property to another person?

The case becomes more complicated. The subsequent purchaser’s legal position, knowledge, good faith and reliance on the registry may become central issues. Immediate analysis of the entire transfer chain is essential.

Can the court stop the property from being sold again?

Depending on the circumstances and applicable procedural requirements, an interim judicial measure may be requested to protect the property while the ownership dispute is pending.

Can the State be responsible for losses arising from the land registry?

Article 1007 of the Turkish Civil Code establishes State responsibility for damage arising from maintenance of the land registry. Whether a particular identity-theft case satisfies the requirements for compensation must be assessed individually. TKGM expressly refers to this statutory principle in its title-security guidance.

How can foreign property owners reduce identity-theft risk?

Keep title-related contact information current, monitor the property through official systems, use transaction notifications, consider the Web Tapu personal-appearance declaration where appropriate, restrict unnecessary distribution of passport and title documents, use carefully drafted powers of attorney, revoke authorities that are no longer required, independently verify unexpected title activity and maintain a complete record of all property documents and payments.

Legal Support for Foreign Property Owners Facing Identity Theft

Identity theft involving Turkish real estate requires rapid coordination between property law, civil procedure, evidence preservation and criminal law. A fraudulent transfer that is discovered before completion may sometimes be stopped, while a completed transfer can require urgent litigation to protect the property and prevent further registrations. Subsequent sales or mortgages can make recovery substantially more complicated.

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign property owners and investors with suspected identity theft, forged powers of attorney, unauthorized title transactions, fraudulent property transfers, title cancellation and registration proceedings, urgent protective measures and related criminal complaints. Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya can review the current registry, transaction history and identity evidence to determine which measures should be taken to protect the property and prevent further loss.

Phone: +90 312 434 22 22

WhatsApp: +90 532 769 22 22

Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr