Turkish authorities have arrested 49 people suspected of using automated software to bulk-book Schengen visa appointments and sell them at inflated prices, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced. The suspects, who operated as visa consultants, are accused of deploying bots to access booking systems run by European consulates and authorised visa service providers, locking out regular applicants from securing slots directly.
How the Scheme Operated
According to a report by Hurriyet Daily News on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the suspects sold guaranteed appointments or visas at a premium, disguising the charges as software, consultancy, or service fees. Justice Minister Akın Gurlek said investigators found evidence that fees were not returned to clients when the promised services were never delivered. Applicants' personal data was also allegedly transferred to private digital systems without consent.
The Stockholm Center for Freedom also noted Turkish authorities' crackdown on the scheme.
$59 Million in Transactions Uncovered
A financial investigation covering January 2024 to July 2026 uncovered more than 2.84 billion Turkish Liras, equivalent to roughly $59 million, in transactions connected to companies under scrutiny. Investigators said the group collected over 918 million liras from more than 41,000 people. Authorities also flagged significant cash flows, cryptocurrency holdings, and precious-metal transactions, with large sums moved to company partners and staff.
The operation covered 63 locations across Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bursa, and Izmir. Digital devices and documents seized during the raids are currently under examination.
Turkey's Schengen Visa Appointment Crisis
The arrests come amid persistent difficulties faced by Turkish citizens trying to book Schengen visa appointments. Turkey ranked as the second-largest source of Schengen visa applications in 2025, with about 1.26 million submissions, according to European Commission data. Appointment shortages have driven a shadow market where slots have been resold for between 300 and 500 euros, climbing to as much as 1,000 euros for urgent bookings. The problem has previously been raised in the Turkish Parliament.
The broader visa outsourcing industry has also drawn scrutiny in a separate context. A joint investigation by Lighthouse Reports and 14 media partners examined the global operations of a major international visa outsourcing firm working with governments across dozens of countries. That inquiry alleged applicants were sometimes pressured into buying add-on services such as SMS alerts, courier delivery, and premium lounge access, and raised concerns over data handling and bribery within the system.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Australia's Department of Home Affairs has outlined the residence requirement foreigners must meet before applying for citizenship. Applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a number of years before the date they apply for citizenship. The rules also specify how much time applicants are allowed to have spent outside Australia during that period.
