Fraud
Deceiving a person by fraudulent conduct to obtain a benefit to their detriment. The basic penalty is 1–5 years’ imprisonment; fraud through an information system or a bank, or by posing as a public official, is punishable by 4–10 years.
Fraud is deceiving a person by fraudulent conduct and thereby obtaining a benefit for oneself or another to the detriment of that person or someone else (TCK 157). The victim hands over the property of their own will, but that will has been formed through deception.
Penalty
- Basic form (TCK 157): 1–5 years’ imprisonment and up to 5,000 day-fines.
- Aggravated fraud (TCK 158/1): 3–10 years’ imprisonment and up to 5,000 day-fines.
Aggravated forms
Fraud is aggravated when committed mainly in the following ways:
- by exploiting religious beliefs and feelings,
- by taking advantage of a person’s dangerous situation or difficult circumstances, or of their diminished ability to understand,
- by using public institutions, professional bodies, political parties, foundations or associations as a tool,
- to the detriment of public institutions and organisations,
- by using information systems, banks or credit institutions as a tool,
- by taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the press and media,
- by abuse of trust by merchants, company or cooperative managers, or self-employed professionals,
- in order to obtain an insurance payment,
- by the offender presenting themselves as a public official or as an employee of a bank, insurance company or credit institution.
In fraud committed to the detriment of public institutions, through an information system or a bank, to obtain a loan or insurance payment, or by posing as a public official or bank employee, the minimum term of imprisonment is 4 years and the judicial fine may not be less than twice the benefit obtained from the offence.
Increases and reductions
- If the offence is committed jointly by three or more people, the penalty is increased by one half; if committed as part of the activities of an organisation, it is doubled (TCK 158/3).
- If a person’s contribution is limited to giving others payment instruments, such as bank cards, or account access details belonging to themselves or others, the penalty is reduced by one half. This provision was added by Law No. 7589 of 16 July 2026 (TCK 158/4).
- For fraud committed to collect a debt arising from a legal relationship, 6 months to 1 year’s imprisonment or a judicial fine is imposed on complaint (TCK 159).
Prosecution
Fraud in its basic form (TCK 157) is eligible for mediation; aggravated fraud is not (CMK 253).
In the data
Fraud incidents are available in the institutional API as location-level records (data access).