White-collar crimes in Turkey refer to non-violent, financially motivated offenses typically committed by corporate executives, professionals, or public officials. These include acts such as embezzlement, document forgery, bribery, tax evasion, and breach of trust. Despite their non-violent nature, these crimes carry serious penalties including imprisonment, heavy fines, and permanent damage to professional reputation.
Our Turkish Law Firm provides legal defense in complex white-collar crime cases in Turkey, particularly those involving multi-party corporate fraud, forged commercial documentation, and criminal liability arising from executive actions. As English Speaking Turkish Lawyers, we represent clients through all phases—investigation, indictment, trial, appeal, and asset recovery—using proven criminal defense strategies under the Turkish Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code (CMK).
What Is Considered White-Collar Crime Under Turkish Law?
White-collar crime is not defined in a single article of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), but is rather an umbrella category including various offenses such as:
- TCK Article 155 – Breach of Trust (Güveni Kötüye Kullanma)
- TCK Article 204 – Document Forgery (Resmi Belgede Sahtecilik)
- TCK Article 157 – Fraud (Dolandırıcılık)
- TCK Article 160 – Accounting Fraud (Muhasebe Belgelerinde Sahtecilik)
- TCK Article 247 – Embezzlement by Public Officer (Zimmet)
- Tax Evasion under Law No. 213 – Tax Procedure Code (VUK)
Our best lawyer firm in Turkey offers customized defense for each category, including challenging forensic evidence, contesting procedural errors, and negotiating early resolution options with prosecutors.
Common Targets of Economic Crime Investigations in Turkey
In practice, white-collar crime investigations in Turkey often involve the following individuals and organizations:
- Board members and directors of limited or joint stock companies
- Financial controllers, accountants, and tax advisors
- Bank managers, procurement officers, and insurance executives
- Public officials and tender participants
- Private sector managers involved in breach of fiduciary duty
Our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers work with clients in real estate, tech, manufacturing, energy, and finance sectors to defend against regulatory and criminal allegations based on detailed file review and procedural safeguards.
Criminal Procedure and Defense Strategy
Once an economic crime complaint is filed, prosecutors may initiate an investigation under the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK). During this phase:
- The suspect may be summoned for testimony or placed under precautionary measures
- Bank accounts and emails may be examined under court order
- Expert reports may be issued on accounting or contract performance
- Witnesses and internal staff may be questioned
Our Turkish Law Firm ensures legal safeguards are observed, prepares written defenses and mitigation statements, and intervenes early to shape the prosecution’s theory before a formal indictment is filed.
Evidence and Expert Review in White-Collar Crime Cases
Unlike violent offenses, white-collar crime cases in Turkey typically rely on a paper trail—contracts, invoices, bank transfers, accounting records, correspondence, and IT systems. This makes evidence analysis central to any defense strategy. Our Turkish Law Firm routinely files motions for:
- Independent financial expert review of transaction logs
- Exclusion of unlawfully obtained digital evidence
- Access to company servers and internal audit trails
- Suppression of biased or non-neutral forensic reports
Our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers collaborate with accountants, IT specialists, and commercial law professors to challenge weak indictments and defend business clients against speculative charges of white collar crime in Turkey.
Plea Bargaining and Mitigation (Etkin Pişmanlık)
In certain economic crime cases, the Turkish Penal Code allows for mitigation or suspension of sentence under the concept of “etkin pişmanlık” (effective remorse), particularly when:
- The defendant returns the embezzled amount or compensates the victim before verdict
- The defendant cooperates in revealing the criminal network or larger fraud operation
- The damage caused is minor and first-time offense is proven
As the best lawyer firm in Turkey for economic crime defense, we file mitigation petitions, negotiate with prosecutors under CMK 253/254, and pursue options such as deferred sentences, probation, and fines instead of incarceration.
Civil and Commercial Consequences of Conviction
Conviction for a white-collar crime in Turkey carries consequences beyond criminal sanctions. These may include:
- Ineligibility to act as a company director or board member
- Annulment of company licenses or certifications
- Asset freezes or civil compensation lawsuits
- Blacklisting in tenders and credit reporting databases
- Immigration consequences for foreign nationals
Our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers develop parallel defense strategies to protect against reputational, financial, and regulatory fallout resulting from criminal proceedings.
Internal Legal Resources
- Corporate Fraud Investigations
- Document Forgery in Turkey
- Tax Evasion and Criminal Defense
- Criminal Procedure in Turkey
- Business Law Compliance and Defense
FAQ: White-Collar Crime and Defense in Turkey
- Q1: What is the most common white-collar crime in Turkey?
Fraud (TCK 157), document forgery (TCK 204), and embezzlement (TCK 247) are the most prosecuted. - Q2: Can I be arrested during investigation?
Yes, especially if the alleged damage is high. Our lawyers request release or judicial control alternatives. - Q3: Is expert testimony used in these cases?
Yes. Most files require accountant or financial forensic evaluations. - Q4: Can company shareholders be liable?
Only if they actively participated. Passive shareholders are rarely prosecuted unless proof of involvement exists. - Q5: How long do these cases take?
Investigation may last 3–6 months; trial phase often takes 1–2 years depending on complexity. - Q6: Will I be blacklisted if convicted?
Yes. Conviction affects public contracts, credit records, and public appointments. - Q7: Is plea bargaining possible?
Yes. CMK 253 and TCK etkin pişmanlık allow for mitigation and suspension in economic cases. - Q8: Can foreigners be prosecuted?
Absolutely. Nationality does not shield from prosecution. We ensure fair representation for foreign clients in Turkey. - Q9: What if I’m innocent but blamed?
We build timeline defenses, documentation evidence, and challenge forensic assumptions to protect the accused. - Q10: Can a Turkish Law Firm manage everything remotely?
Yes. Our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers represent clients abroad with full POA and digital access to criminal files via UYAP.
Defend Your Rights Against Economic Crime Allegations with a Turkish Law Firm
Being accused of a white-collar crime can be deeply damaging both professionally and personally. From reputational harm to criminal penalties and financial loss, the consequences are far-reaching. That’s why building a strong, proactive defense with a dedicated legal team is not optional—it’s essential.
At ER&GUN&ER Law Firm, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers provide comprehensive legal representation in complex white-collar crime cases in Turkey. From initial investigation to final verdict, we design a full-spectrum strategy that balances legal rigor with commercial sensitivity. As the best lawyer firm in Turkey for white-collar criminal defense, we ensure that your side is clearly heard, your rights are protected, and your reputation is defended.