Turkey Scams: Online, Banking & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Turkey and how to report to the Cyber Crimes department, BTK, and your bank.
Emergency number: 155 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Turkey sees significant online fraud including phishing and smishing targeting bank accounts, fake investment platforms, e-commerce scams, and phone-based social engineering attacks. The Turkish National Police Cyber Crimes Department (Siber Suçlarla Mücadele) at egm.gov.tr/siber handles cybercrime investigations, while BTK (Information Technologies and Communication Authority) oversees cybersecurity policy. Consumer fraud can be reported to the Ministry of Trade's consumer protection directorate. Turkey's banking regulator BDDK and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) investigate financial fraud. Contacting your bank immediately is the most effective first response to any suspected fraud.
Common scams
- Phone-based bank impersonation and social engineering
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Turkish banks or PTT
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Fake online shops and marketplace non-delivery
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging or unofficial taxi services
- Shoe-shine and 'dropped wallet' distraction scams
- Fake tour operators and carpet shop commission scams
Online shopping scams
- Parcel-fee smishing impersonating PTT or cargo companies
- Fake online retailers
- Account takeover via phishing targeting banking credentials
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake overseas job offers requiring upfront fees
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and pig-butchering crypto investment grooming
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms
- Pyramid and high-yield investment scheme fraud
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Report cybercrime to the Turkish National Police Cyber Crimes Department at egm.gov.tr/siber
- Report consumer fraud to the Ministry of Trade consumer protection directorate at tuketici.ticaret.gov.tr
- For urgent emergencies, call 155 (police) or 112
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or official app. Turkish banks can attempt to recall fraudulent transfers most effectively within the first few hours. No legitimate bank will ever ask you to share your internet banking password or SMS OTP by phone.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is the shoe-shine scam in Turkey?
A shoe-shiner 'accidentally' drops a brush near you; when you return it, they insist on polishing your shoes for free, then demand an inflated fee. Simply decline and walk away — this is a well-documented tourist scam in Istanbul and other tourist cities.
How do I report cybercrime in Turkey?
Report to the Turkish National Police Cyber Crimes Department via egm.gov.tr/siber. For consumer fraud, contact the Ministry of Trade consumer directorate at tuketici.ticaret.gov.tr. For financial crimes, the MASAK financial crimes investigation board can also be contacted.
Are investment platforms offering high guaranteed returns legitimate?
Almost never. Platforms promising unusually high, guaranteed investment returns — particularly in crypto or forex — are typically scams. Check whether any platform is licensed by the BDDK (banking regulator) or CMB/SPK (capital markets board) before committing funds.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance