Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced Monday that 72 suspects had been detained in the second phase of an investigation into the alleged unlawful acquisition of Turkish citizenship through sham real estate transactions in Istanbul.

The operation was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department, Gürlek said.

Authorities examined property sales involving Gül Inşaat AŞ, Beyaz Inşaat and LIV Inşaat, focusing on transactions involving 734 foreign nationals.

Investigators determined that 274 of the transactions were allegedly sham sales, according to authorities.

The investigation found that 1,070 people, including family members, obtained Turkish citizenship through the transactions, while 11 others were still undergoing the citizenship acquisition process.

The total value of the allegedly fraudulent transactions exceeded TL 3.5 billion ($71.7 million).

Judicial proceedings were initiated against 88 suspects, with 72 detained during the operation. Digital materials were also seized from addresses linked to the suspects and from the companies under investigation.

Authorities imposed precautionary measures on 2,011 properties, a hotel, 86 vehicles, two yachts and 42 bank accounts. Thirty companies were seized and trustees were appointed to manage them.

The operation followed an earlier phase focusing on transactions linked to Babacan Inşaat. Authorities had determined that low-value properties were sold using falsely inflated appraisal reports, enabling 687 people to allegedly obtain Turkish citizenship unlawfully. Proceedings to revoke their citizenships were subsequently initiated.

Authorities said administrative procedures have also been launched to revoke the citizenship of individuals identified as having obtained it through unlawful means.