Fake Diploma Scandal in Turkey: Fraudsters Used Identities of Earthquake Victims to Forge Law Degrees

A shocking new detail has emerged in Turkey’s fake diploma scandal: Members of a criminal network reportedly deleted university records of lawyers who died in the February 6, 2023 earthquakes and replaced them with individuals who paid to receive law degrees. These falsified diplomas were even reflected in official e-Government (e-Devlet) records.

Over 199 Suspects Charged for Forgery, Digital Identity Theft

The investigation, launched earlier this year, now includes 199 suspects across two indictments. The first, filed in May 2025, named 134 individuals. The second indictment, finalized in July, added 65 more suspects. Authorities allege the group produced fake high school and university diplomas, teaching certificates, and driver’s licenses using forged electronic signatures of high-level public officials.

The group allegedly cloned digital signatures of executives from the Ministry of Education, Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), along with university staff from 14 institutions.

Earthquake Victims’ Identities Used to Forge Law Degrees

Prosecutors revealed a particularly disturbing method: The personal data and student records of deceased lawyers—who had died in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes—were erased from university systems. These slots were then fraudulently reassigned to individuals who had paid to obtain law school graduation credentials. These fake records were successfully inserted into the e-Government platform.

Extortion After Forgery: “Pay 150,000 TL to Remove Your Fake Record”

One case involved suspect Zeynep Karacan, who allegedly offered diplomas to a contractor named Osman Ulunç. Karacan accessed Ulunç’s e-Devlet account under the pretext of enrolling him in an online education course. Later, she informed him that he had been registered as a university graduate without consent. When Ulunç asked for the record to be deleted, she demanded 150,000 Turkish Lira. Upon refusal, Karacan allegedly replied, “Just kidding.”

80,000 TL Paid for a Fake Medical Secretary Diploma

In another testimony, Nursel Tanju stated she was lured via a social media ad for hostess and private security training. She transferred 70,000 to 80,000 TL to Zeynep Karacan’s bank account for certificates in security, municipal law enforcement, and medical secretarial training. After completing fake online courses and exams, a medical secretary degree was fraudulently added to her e-Devlet profile.

Key Suspects: Karacan, Gülen, and Kadiroğlu

Prosecutors named Zeynep Karacan, Gökay Celal Gülen, and Ziya Kadiroğlu as the ringleaders of the operation. Institutions including the Ministry of Education, Gazi University, and multiple university registrar offices have joined the case as complainants.