Group members claim to be making profits, an administrator promises a certain rise and you are pressed to act quickly. If you lose money, document the information and transactions that influenced you rather than relying only on the fact that the price fell.
Distinguish real investing from a fake platform
Did you pay into an investment account in your name, an individual’s bank account or an app supplied by the group? A real exchange trade, a fictitious balance and unlicensed investment services are different situations. Verify the legal entity and permission through official records. Genuine firms’ names and logos can also be impersonated.
Not every loss is a crime; promises may be evidence
A price fall alone does not prove fraud or manipulation. False identities, misleading statements, coordinated trading instructions and benefits received should be examined together. Market manipulation under capital-markets legislation and fraud under the Criminal Code are distinct offences. Classification and the role of an SPK application depend on the facts.
Preserve records before leaving the group
Keep the group name, invitation link, administrators, phone numbers, message dates, audio files and promises. Separate real statements and order histories from screenshots of a fake application. Match exported messages to payment times. Do not alter originals or publicly disclose other members’ personal information.
Prepare the complaint and any recovery claim
Set out a chronological account from the initial contact to the payment. Do not assume that the payment recipient and all group members have identical roles. Prompt bank notification and an evidence-based criminal complaint serve different purposes. An investigation does not automatically return funds. Legal claims, responsible parties and recovery prospects require separate assessment.
How to organise your application file
Set out events chronologically and match each payment, instruction and reply to its record. Keep original files and capture screenshots with dates and URLs. Retain proof of delivery for written applications. If a statement changes, preserve the earlier version as well. Avoid publishing identity and account information on public channels.
Frequently asked question
Which records should I keep from an investment group?
Preserve the group name, administrator accounts, dated promises and instructions, payment destinations, receipts and trading history. Prepare existing records that show the sequence of events, rather than relying on a single screenshot.
DISCUSS YOUR CASE
Discuss losses linked to an investment messaging group
We can review group messages, investment recommendations and the movement of funds to assess your options under Turkish law.
A brief summary and important dates are enough for an initial enquiry. Send documents only when requested by our lawyers, through the channel they specify. Do not share passwords, one-time codes or wallet keys.
Sources and legislation
SPK: Fraud Warning (26 September 2024)
SPK: Market Manipulation in Capital Markets
Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237
Turkish Criminal Procedure Code No. 5271
Related reading
Criminal Law
“We Can Recover Your Fund or Crypto Loss”: Avoiding a Second Fraud
Prepared on 30 September 2026. General information under Turkish law. Available remedies and deadlines depend on the particular records. No outcome or recovery is guaranteed. The image is illustrative.