Turkey detains 197 individuals in counterfeit diploma and driver's license scheme
In a startling turn of events, a gang led by Ziya Kadiroğlu, a doctoral student at Duzece University, has been accused of orchestrating a widespread e-signature fraud and fake diploma scheme in Turkey. Known as "professor Ziya" among his circle, Kadiroğlu has a history of similar crimes, having previously served a five-year prison sentence for exam fraud.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation in 2024 following a complaint by a public official whose e-signature had been copied. This marked the beginning of a comprehensive probe into the activities of this criminal network.
The gang, operating out of TUZEM Akademi in Ankara, had machines producing fake IDs, passports, licenses, and diplomas. They used copied e-signatures of various public officials from the Ministry of Education, universities, and other authorities to create fake diplomas, including degrees in fields like psychology, law, civil engineering, and pharmacy.
In addition to producing fake diplomas, the gang is alleged to have registered individuals who failed driving tests as successful and issued licenses to illiterate people. They also collaborated with driving schools in Gaziantep, Adana, Kahramanmaraş, and Osmaniye to manipulate driving exam scores.
The operations were conducted in 23 provinces on Jan. 7 and in 16 provinces on May 23. Fake driver's licenses and Turkish identity cards were used to apply for and produce electronic signatures at branches and offices of electronic certification providers "TÜRKTRUST" and "E-IMZATR".
The investigations focused on offenses including forgery of official documents, violations related to the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center services, and unauthorized access to information systems. Suspects, in addition to producing fake diplomas, were found to have copied the e-signatures of several public officials, including the head and deputy head of the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK), the head of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) Education and Training Department, the head of the National Education Department, and student affairs officials or personnel from 15 different universities.
As a result of the investigations, 197 suspects have been apprehended, 37 detained, and 150 placed under judicial control. The Ankara 23rd Criminal Court has merged the cases, and all defendants will appear again before a judge on Sept. 12.
Investigations continue against other suspects, who face charges including violations of laws related to the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center, electronic certificate fraud, obstruction and destruction of information systems, unlawful data access, and more. The indictments list 45 fake diplomas created, including the ones mentioned above.
It is important to note that no fact was mentioned about the suspects using fake university or high school diplomas or driver's licenses to conduct official public transactions. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has not released any statement regarding the status of the suspects in terms of apprehension, detention, or placement under judicial control in the current paragraph.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust security measures to protect digital systems and prevent such fraudulent activities. As the investigations continue, it is hoped that justice will be served, and those responsible will be brought to account for their actions.
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- The criminal network, led by Ziya Kadiroğlu, was based in TUZEM Akademi in Ankara and allegedly forged e-signatures of officials from various institutions, including the Ministry of Education, universities, and authorities, to create fake diplomas in fields such as psychology, law, civil engineering, pharmacy, and more.
- The Ankara 23rd Criminal Court has merged the cases against the suspects, and it was reported that the investigations involved offenses like forgery of official documents, violations related to the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center services, and unauthorized access to information systems.
- The developments of this case highlight the importance of strengthening digital security measures in Turkey to prevent widespread e-signature fraud, particularly given the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials' e-signatures in the creation of fake diplomas.
