Bank Account and IBAN Misuse in Turkey
Fraud schemes increasingly use bank accounts, payment cards and crypto accounts belonging to third parties. In Turkey, people whose accounts are used in such schemes may face investigations for fraud or related financial offences. Criminal liability is not determined solely by whose name appears on the account; knowledge, intent, benefit and the person's actual contribution to the offence are central issues.
The 2026 Amendment: Article 158/4
Law No. 7589, published on 31 July 2026, added paragraph 4 to Article 158 of the Turkish Penal Code. Where participation in fraud is limited to providing a payment instrument or the information or tools necessary to use a bank, brokerage, payment-service or crypto-asset account for the purpose of obtaining an unlawful benefit, the sentence is reduced by half. This is not an amnesty or an automatic acquittal rule.
Lack of Criminal Intent and the Reduction Are Different Issues
If the account holder had no criminal intent and did not knowingly participate in the fraud, the primary issue is whether the offence and participation are proven at all. Article 158/4 becomes relevant where participation is established but the person's contribution remains within the limited conduct described by the statute.
Evidence Commonly Examined
Bank statements, mobile-banking login records, IP and device data, ATM footage, messaging records, alleged commission payments, employment advertisements and the timing of reports made to banks or law-enforcement authorities may all be relevant to determining knowledge and participation.
Account Suspension
Under amendments introduced at the end of 2025, financial institutions may temporarily suspend certain accounts for up to 48 hours where the statutory conditions and reasonable suspicion exist. The account holder may have a statutory route to request lifting of that temporary suspension from the public prosecutor, depending on the legal basis of the measure.
This article is for general information only. The legal assessment depends on the evidence, the person's intent and role, and the procedural stage of the case.