Uzbeks in Turkey warned about growing fraud cases

Recently, there has been a sharp increase in fraud cases related to the issuance of residence permits (ikamet izni), work permits (çalışma izni), the lifting of entry bans, and the payment of fines in Turkey. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul has issued an official warning regarding these developments.

According to the Consulate, many consulting firms (danışmanlık şirketleri) promise to resolve such issues but instead fraudulently embezzle large sums of money from Uzbek citizens. In most cases, the victims do not have any written contracts or documented agreements with these individuals, making it impossible to recover the stolen funds through legal channels.

“One of the most alarming aspects is that some fraudsters attempt to bring previously deported Uzbek citizens back into Turkey using fake passports of other countries. This, in turn, places our compatriots in serious and criminal situations,” the statement reads.

It has also come to light that certain individuals are deceiving migrants by claiming they will pay their fines at the MÖÇ (Migration Service) office on their behalf. These individuals embezzle money by threatening victims with lies such as, “If you go yourself, you’ll be caught.”

The Consulate General strongly urges Uzbek migrants in Turkey to avoid illegal and unreliable intermediaries and to seek assistance only from official institutions in all legal matters. Attempting to enter Turkey illegally or working with unauthorized agents may lead to severe legal consequences.

It should be noted that earlier, the Consulate General issued another warning after an Uzbek citizen recorded a Turkish woman on the Istanbul metro without her consent. Under Turkish law, photographing or videotaping individuals—especially women—without permission is strictly prohibited and may result in criminal liability.