Real Estate Scams in Turkey 2025: How to Protect Yourself from Fake Documents and Fraud!

Buying real estate in Turkey remains popular among foreign investors, but as demand grows, so does the number of fraudulent schemes. In 2025, scammers are using new methods, including fake TAPU property ownership certificates, forged contracts, and fictitious agencies.

How to avoid becoming a victim? In this guide, we’ll cover:

✔ Modern real estate scams in Turkey
✔ How to verify an agency and documents before the deal
✔ Top 5 red flags of a scam
✔ Where to find official information about a company
✔ Why after-sales service is a key indicator of trustworthiness
✔ How to tell a real agent from an “assistant”

🔥 New Real Estate Scam Tactics in 2025

1. Fake TAPU (title deed)

Scammers use Photoshop or copies of real documents to convince buyers that a property exists and belongs to a legitimate owner. In reality, the TAPU is either stolen or fabricated and not related to the property being offered.

2. Forged contracts on real company templates

Fraudsters copy logos and details from real agencies to create “official” documents that have no legal power.

3. Selling one apartment to multiple buyers

Scheme:

• They take 5–20% deposits from different clients
• Then they disappear or invent excuses for canceling the deal

✅ How to protect yourself?

Only pay after thoroughly verifying the seller and all documents.

🔍 How to verify a real estate agency in Turkey?

1. Turkish Trade Registry (Ticaret Sicil Gazetesi)

This is a must. All legal companies, including RestProperty, are registered in the official trade registry.

Check the agency using the official website!

Steps:

1. Go to the link
2. Enter the agency’s name
3. If there is no data — it’s likely a scam

2. Physical office presence

❌ No office = high risk
✅ Check address via Google Maps
✅ Ask for a video from the office

3. Property verification

• Live video call or video footage of the property
• Agent listed on the official company website under "Team"
• Call the company and request written confirmation

🚨 5 signs of a fraudulent agency

1️⃣ Not listed in the trade registry
2️⃣ Only communicates via WhatsApp/Telegram
3️⃣ Urges you to transfer money quickly (“last chance today!”)
4️⃣ Can’t arrange a video tour of the property
5️⃣ No after-sales service, new website domain, no real reviews

🔍 How to make sure your realtor is legitimate?

The market is flooded with “helpers” — individuals without the legal right to conduct deals. In the past, even bartenders or taxi drivers could sell an apartment. Now it’s “online agents” who have never even been to Turkey. That’s dangerous!

1. Check the agent via the official company website:

✔ The site should list names and photos of staff
✔ Call the number listed on the site, not the one given by the agent
✔ Make sure this person actually works for the company

2. Request licenses and documentation

Before agreeing to anything, ask for and verify all licenses. The most important is company registration in Ticaret Sicil Gazetesi and a proven history.

3. After-sales support

After buying property, you may need help with electricity, water, residence permit, or taxes. A reliable agency supports you even after the deal.

❗ Why RestProperty Means Reliability

We offer full after-sales service:

• Connecting water, electricity, gas
• Help with residence permit and citizenship
• Tax and legal consultations
• Renovation and furnishing services
• Rental management (for our clients only)

Our “Rentals” section only includes apartments bought through us. We don’t rent “street listings” or properties from other owners.

⚠️ Why fraud cases are on the rise?

According to global statistics, real estate fraud increased in 2025. The reason: global economic crisis and growing demand for housing in Turkey.

Now entire scam networks operate:

• Ghost agents working only online with no office or legal status
• Unlicensed private individuals
• Fly-by-night companies that disappear after 2–3 months

Reality shows: all these schemes end the same — people lose money and get no property.

🔐 How to buy property in Turkey safely?

1. Work only with verified agencies

• Check via Ticaret Sicil Gazetesi
• At least 5 years in the market
• Physical offices and listed team members
• Transparent conditions

2. Check every document

• TAPU (title deed)
• Purchase agreement
• Seller’s/agent’s passport
• Power of attorney (if applicable)

3. Do not make any advance payments before verification

Only pay after checking the documents and confirming the legitimacy of the company.

📌 If you still decide to work with a private individual:

☑ Request an online meeting with the property owner
☑ Ask for a live video tour of the apartment (not a pre-recorded video)
☑ Verify original documents through a trusted agency
☑ Do not transfer any money before personally inspecting the property

📞 Free consultation

Ask us any questions about safe real estate transactions in Turkey — our advice is completely free.

RestProperty — a trusted agency since 2003. We were, we are, and we will always be here!
Your safety is our top priority.