- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,192.30-0.57%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,747-1.11%
- October 12, 202619°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,192.30-0.57%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,747-1.11%
- October 12, 202619°
Ministry investigation into visa black market
Following allegations that Schengen visa appointments were closed and sold using bot software, the Ministry of Trade launched an investigation into 7 companies.
Allegations that Schengen visa appointments are quickly closed by bot software and sold at exorbitant prices have taken the appointment crisis experienced by Turkish citizens in European travel to a new level. The Ministry of Trade has launched an investigation into 7 visa intermediary companies following these allegations.
Highlights
- Black market allegations related to Schengen visa appointments were brought to the Parliament's agenda.
- Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced that an Advertising Board investigation has been initiated for 7 visa intermediary companies.
- It was alleged that companies collected appointments using bot software and then sold them at high prices.
- Allegations that unregistered payments were made to personal IBAN accounts and transactions were conducted without invoices were also included in the file.
- The file was forwarded to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding tax evasion and irregularity allegations.
Appointment crisis brought to Parliament's agenda
The difficulty faced by citizens in finding visa appointments for European travel is now being evaluated together with illegal black market allegations. Allegations that appointments are taken within seconds by automated programs and sold for money were brought to Parliament with written questions.
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced in response to deputies' questions that an official investigation has been launched into 7 visa intermediary companies accused of victimizing consumers and making unfair profits.
Allegations of unregistered payments and transactions without invoices
One aspect of the investigation involves allegations that citizens made payments to these companies' personal IBAN accounts to obtain visa appointments and did not receive invoices in return. The Ministry stated that these allegations are also under evaluation.
It was reported that the file was forwarded to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to suspicions of tax evasion, unregistered money flow, and irregularities.
Hundreds of applications in five years
Minister Bolat said that in the last 5 years, 143 official complaints were received via CİMER and 10 via e-Government regarding visa application intermediary services. These applications reignited discussions about pricing and transaction conditions in the sector.
Bolat pointed out that there is no special regulation regarding pricing and refund conditions of visa companies in the current consumer protection legislation. It was also stated that additional measures and new legal regulations that could prevent grievances are being worked on through joint efforts of the ministries.
Context: The congestion in Schengen visa appointments has recently emerged as a problem affecting many applicants. The allegations brought to Parliament combined access issues in the appointment system with questions about unregistered intermediary activities in the same file..
Sponsored Ads
Featured Listings
Loading featured properties...
Stay Updated with The Turkiye Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
