77 suspects detained in Adana staged traffic accident fraud probe

The Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is running the investigation into staged traffic accidents, in which 77 suspects have been detained. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the operation on October 20, 2026, in a statement posted to his NSosyal account. The probe targets a criminal group accused of using fake accidents to collect unjustified payouts from insurance companies.

Unjustified payouts from 17 insurers

According to Gürlek, the group received unjustified payments from 17 insurance companies between 2022 and 2026 through staged crashes. Investigators found evidence that 76 of the traffic accidents they examined were fabricated. Suspects allegedly made damaged vehicles appear to have been involved in a new crash, reused the same vehicles with different drivers, and prepared accident reports that did not reflect what actually happened.

88 suspects subject to legal proceedings

Gürlek said investigators reviewed MASAK financial reports, HTS phone records, physical surveillance and camera footage, and concluded that the group operated with a planned division of labor. Tasks ranged from acquiring vehicles and preparing damage files to collecting insurance payments and distributing the money. Accounts linked to the suspects showed fund movements amounting to millions of lira.

In the coordinated operation centered in Adana, legal proceedings were launched against 88 suspects, and 77 of them were caught and taken into custody. One suspect was found to be in prison on unrelated charges. Efforts are continuing to locate the remaining 10 suspects, who are at large.

Gürlek said those who profited from the crimes would be held accountable. He also thanked the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which led the investigation, and the Adana Police Department, which carried out the operation.