German journalists uncovered a scheme in which Turkish citizens bribe local law enforcement officers to open a criminal case against them, then use this document as grounds for asylum in Germany. However, even an officially recorded criminal case does not guarantee protection, and the scheme itself carries serious risk for the applicant.
How the fake criminal case scheme works
Turkish citizens consult German lawyers about what grounds qualify for asylum in Germany. Typically, this is political persecution. The applicants then return to Turkey and pay corrupt law enforcement and prosecution officials to open a case against them — for example, for insulting President Erdoğan or on political grounds.
Officials enter the case details into the official state database. The lawyer then obtains the case file from law enforcement and submits it to German migration authorities as evidence of persecution.
Why forged documents have become harder to detect
In the past, German officials could spot forged documents about criminal cases: people simply faked rulings on a computer and printed fake stamps. German authorities learned to recognize such documents.
But now in Turkey, information is officially entered into an electronic registry. If German migration authorities request confirmation from Turkish law enforcement, they will receive a message confirming the case genuinely exists. A printout from the registry will contain all authentic stamps and details. It looks like a real criminal proceeding.
Why even an official case doesn’t guarantee asylum
The existence of a criminal case in the state database alone is not automatic grounds for asylum in Germany. German officials assess the nature of the persecution, examine all circumstances, the real risks to the person, and many other factors.
Applicants who bought a fake case often bring only bare documents about the opening of criminal proceedings, unable to prove the remaining circumstances. They cannot confirm other grounds or facts because it’s a complete fabrication. In such cases, German officials deny asylum.
The risk if the applicant is forced to return to Turkey
If the applicant fails to obtain protection in Germany and for some reason returns home, an unpleasant surprise awaits. The corrupt official who opened the case for a bribe is a temporary figure. When he is removed, his replacement may launch an investigation and expose the scheme.
As a result, the person who bought a criminal case against themselves will face a real legal problem that cannot be quickly resolved. They will have to prove they did not commit the crime they “bought.”
What the case law and the press say
German journalists conducted an investigation in Turkey and Germany, uncovering this scheme. A ruling by the Berlin Administrative Court dated March 4, 2026, specifically addresses the problem of forged judicial and procedural documents from the Republic of Turkey.
There are already cases where German authorities detected purchased criminal cases and denied asylum. Journalists raise the question: how can migration authorities detect such organized fraud if even an official request to Turkish law enforcement will return confirmation that the case genuinely exists?
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