If you suspect a fraudulent property transaction, preserve the documents and payment trail, identify the current title position and obtain prompt advice about civil and criminal routes.
Preserve facts without altering the record
Keep agreements, advertisements, correspondence, receipts and the bank transfer details you lawfully hold. Record dates, identities and how representations were made. Do not delete messages or publicly accuse people as a substitute for evidence. If banking details have changed unexpectedly, verify them independently before any further payment.
Different proceedings serve different purposes
A criminal investigation may address alleged offences, while a civil case may seek title cancellation, damages or restitution. Neither route guarantees recovery. The position of later purchasers, limitation periods and interim protection can be decisive. A lawyer should map the possible remedies and missing evidence before describing a transaction as legally proven fraud.
Know what a legal check includes
The agreed work may cover ownership, mortgages, attachments, annotations, power of attorney and the sale contract. Access depends on legal entitlement, authority and the available records. Matters such as planning compliance, occupancy, construction defects, seismic condition and valuation may require separate official enquiries or qualified technical professionals. A legal check should state what was examined, when it was examined, what could not be verified and what further evidence is needed.
If something has already gone wrong
Keep the contract, payment trail, correspondence and the earliest reliable version of the property records. A title claim, damages claim, contract termination, enforcement action or criminal complaint may have different purposes and requirements. Urgent interim protection may be relevant where a disposal is threatened, but it is not automatic. Never assume that filing a criminal complaint freezes a title or repays the purchase price. The remedy must match the legal problem.
What documents do I need?
Use this list to prepare. Keep sensitive originals for the agreed document channel.
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Can this process be handled while you live abroad?
A carefully drafted power of attorney may support a purchase, sale or court process, subject to formal requirements and institutional acceptance. Identity, authority, original documents and payment arrangements must be settled before completion.
Explore the attendance guideYour questions, answered.
Will a criminal complaint automatically get my money back?+
No. Criminal and civil remedies have different functions. Recovery may require a separate claim and enforcement against available assets.
How can I check a Turkish property before buying it?+
Begin with precise registry identifiers, seller authority and the proposed contract. A lawyer can define the records available for lawful review and identify issues needing technical or official investigation.
Does a legal check guarantee the property is safe?+
No. It is a defined review at a particular time, not protection against every future event, concealed defect or unavailable record.
Can I sell by power of attorney?+
Often this is possible with an appropriately drafted and accepted instrument. Property powers of attorney have specific authority and formal requirements.
Sources & scope
Read the relevant current rules and institutional requirements. General guidance may not resolve a specific case; official Turkish texts govern where a translated explanation differs.
Turkish Civil Code — Law No. 4721Family, property and succession rules; see the provisions identified in this guide.Invest in Türkiye — Acquiring propertyOfficial practical guidance on foreign acquisition and property powers of attorney.Turkish Code of Obligations — Law No. 6098Contractual obligations, leases, liability and remedies.Private International Law — Law No. 5718Applicable law, international jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement.This guide does not constitute a case-specific opinion, a result guarantee or an agreement to represent you. An enquiry does not suspend a deadline. The scope and fee of any legal work must be agreed with the lawyer.
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