Turkey warns of IBAN rental scams and proposes new criminal penalties

Turkish authorities and legal experts are alerting the public to a growing "IBAN rental" fraud, in which scammers promise quick earnings to individuals who allow third parties to use their bank account numbers. Lawyers stress that sharing IBAN details or mobile‑banking access can expose both the fraudster and the account holder to criminal liability, with penalties that may reach up to ten years in prison for qualified fraud charges.

A draft amendment to the criminal code, awaiting inclusion in the 12th legislative package, would create a specific offense for knowingly letting one’s IBAN be used for illicit purposes. The proposal outlines imprisonment of one to three years for those who deliberately provide their account details in exchange for money, while existing law already treats such conduct as "qualified fraud" if the account is used for activities such as illegal gambling or drug trafficking. Officials advise citizens to monitor their accounts via the e‑Devlet portal and to refrain from any offers that promise payment for the use of their bank details. As one attorney warned, "No legitimate company will ask you to rent out your bank account; such offers are a clear risk signal."