🛡️
Stay Safe in Istanbul
Scam &
Fraud Guide
Know the tricks before they happen. 19 common scams explained with real protection tips.
🚨 If You're a Victim
Go to the nearest police station (karakol). Ask to file a “sikayet dilekçesi”. You have the right to an interpreter — say “tercuman istiyorum”.
112Emergency (All)
Police, ambulance, fire — single number
175Consumer Hotline
ALO 175 — Tuketici Sikayet Hatti
157Foreigner Help
Multi-language assistance
In-person
Tourist Police
Sultanahmet — English-speaking officers
Online
Online Consumer Report
tuketici.ticaret.gov.tr
🛡️ Golden Rules
→ If someone approaches YOU with an offer, it's almost always a scam
→ Never pay for anything before seeing it / signing a contract
→ "Too good to be true" always is — whether rent, jobs, or deals
→ Build a local network — Turkish friends are the best scam radar
→ Use official channels: e-Devlet, official stores, noter for contracts
→ Document everything — photos, contracts, receipts, screenshots
→ Foreigners have the same consumer protection rights as Turkish citizens