More Than One Hundred Turkmen Citizens in Türkiye Fall Victim to an Alleged Fraud Scheme: Dayanç Human Rights Platform Calls for Systemic Action

More Than One Hundred Turkmen Citizens in Türkiye Fall Victim to an Alleged Fraud Scheme: Dayanç Human Rights Platform Calls for Systemic Action According to a report published by Hronika Turkmenistana, more than one hundred citizens of Turkmenistan living in Türkiye have allegedly fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme involving migration-related services. According to the publication, on 10 July 2026, the victims, through their lawyers, filed a collective complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul, submitting audio recordings and other evidence related to the case. An official investigation has already been launched. According to the complainants, Erdal Akdemir, a Turkish citizen, and Gulnara Sadykova, a citizen of Turkmenistan, who presented themselves as husband and wife, offered assistance with obtaining residence permits, humanitarian residence permits, applications for international protection, preparation of migration documents, and legal support throughout migration procedures. The reported fees for these services ranged from USD 750 to USD 5,000. The victims allege that once payment had been received, communication with clients ceased, the promised services were never delivered, and no information was provided regarding the progress of their cases. In several instances, payments were allegedly made either in cash or through bank transfers without indicating the purpose of the payment. The complainants further state that when they attempted to recover their money, some of them were subjected to threats, verbal abuse, and even physical violence. The Turkish television channel atv also aired a special report covering the case. At present, the investigation is ongoing. The individuals accused have not publicly responded to the allegations. The legal responsibility of those involved will ultimately be determined by the competent authorities of Türkiye. Response of the Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement "Dayanç" / Turkmenistan In response to these developments, representatives of the Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement "Dayanç" / Turkmenistan submitted official letters to: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye; the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye; the Government of the Republic of Türkiye; the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye; the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Turkmenistan. In its appeals, the Platform urged the Turkish authorities to provide comprehensive assistance to the victims, ensure an independent, impartial, and effective investigation, establish the full truth of the case, and, where sufficient evidence exists, hold those responsible accountable under Turkish law. The Platform also called for broader systemic reforms aimed at preventing similar cases in the future. These include strengthening government oversight of individuals and companies providing migration-related services to foreign nationals, introducing transparent and officially regulated pricing for such services, and simplifying lawful procedures for obtaining residence permits and work permits in Türkiye. The Particular Vulnerability of Turkmen Citizens In its letters, the Human Rights Platform emphasized that citizens of Turkmenistan constitute a particularly vulnerable group due to ongoing systemic human rights violations committed by the authorities of Turkmenistan. The Platform pointed out that Turkmen diplomatic missions abroad effectively refuse to issue new international passports to their own citizens, despite the fact that this is explicitly provided for under Article 29(3) of the Migration Law of Turkmenistan. This practice also contradicts the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the country's international human rights obligations. The appeals also addressed the issue of restrictions on the right of Turkmen citizens to leave their own country. The Platform noted that the application of Article 30(9) of the Migration Law of Turkmenistan, which allows restrictions on citizens' departure from the country, is inconsistent with international human rights standards, including the rights to freedom of movement and family reunification, as well as with the Constitution of Turkmenistan. According to the Platform, these systemic problems leave Turkmen citizens especially vulnerable and often force them to rely on private intermediaries, significantly increasing the risk of fraud and exploitation. Visa Issues The letters also highlighted the difficulties faced by Turkmen citizens in obtaining Turkish visas. The Human Rights Platform stressed that complicated visa procedures, lengthy administrative processes, and limited access to reliable legal information often push people toward private intermediaries who promise to resolve migration issues in exchange for substantial sums of money. The Platform emphasized that protecting migrants' rights requires not only investigating alleged criminal conduct after it occurs but also addressing the structural conditions that make vulnerable people susceptible to fraud. The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement "Dayanç" / Turkmenistan expressed its hope that the Turkish authorities will conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation, ensure effective protection of all victims' rights, and consider improvements to migration procedures so that similar incidents can be prevented in the future. Source: Hronika Turkmenistana, 14 July 2026.