Hotel-Style Apartment Scam in Istanbul: Foreign Investors Defrauded of Millions

Hotel-Style Apartment Scam in Istanbul

A Retirement Dream Turns Into a Nightmare

Many of the buyers were middle-class families — teachers, doctors, and small business owners — who put their life savings into homes in Istanbul. 
They were promised stable income and a secure retirement, but ended up in years of disputes and disappointment.

Rent Guarantees That Vanished Overnight

Buyers were assured they would receive annual rent guarantees of up to $20,000 per apartment. Payments came at first, convincing owners that the promise was real. But later they discovered the money wasn’t from hotel operations at all — it was their own funds, recycled through new sales.

Secret Clauses Hidden in Property Deeds

When disputes began, owners were shocked to find 13-year restrictions secretly placed on their property deeds. These clauses prevented them from selling, leasing, or freely using their homes, effectively stripping them of their rights as owners.

Locked Doors, Digital Keys

Even those who obtained deeds faced locked doors. Entrances, elevators, and apartments were controlled by a digital key system run by the developer. Owners say they could not enter their own homes without permission, and potential buyers were turned away.

Victims Begin to Fight Back

Attorney Barış Erkan Çelebi, representing around 40 victims, says the scheme was designed to mislead from the beginning. According to him, ordinary families were targeted with false promises of guaranteed income. He argues that the ongoing cases reveal a systematic pattern of deception, with the company using every legal tactic to delay justice.

Related Blog Articles

Introduction For foreigners living in Turkey, getting a residence permit has become much simpler and quicker. Thanks to a recent regulation, you can now apply directly through a notary. You no longer need to go to the Immigration Office yourself — the notary checks your...

Introduction On May 29, 2025, the “10th Judicature Package” amended Turkey’s Penal Code (Law No. 5237) with two key changes: Allowing certain serious crimes committed abroad to be tried in Turkey (Article 13) Immediate deportation of foreign convicts who complete sentences of two years or...

Company Registration in Turkey: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide for UK Citizens For UK citizens, opening a company or branch in Turkey is a strategic way to access new customers and benefit from the country’s growing economy. Turkey offers competitive costs, a young workforce, and an...

Average Cost of a Lawyer in Turkey The cost of hiring a Turkish lawyer in Turkey depends on what kind of legal help you need. For example, a consultation or a short meeting to review a contract may cost about €500–€1,000. If you need full...

What Is Aggravated Fraud in Turkey? In Turkey, fraud happens when someone tricks another person to take money, property, or another benefit unfairly.If the fraud is done in certain ways — like pretending to be a police officer, using fake documents, or taking advantage of...

How to Register a Ship Mortgage in Turkey ? If you want to finance or secure a loan on a yacht or ship in Turkey, you’ll likely need a ship mortgage. Many owners have questions about the process, requirements, and risks. Below we answer the...

antalya law firm office