The metropolitan department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) is investigating a fraudulent scheme involving the sale of property in the Qyran residential complex.
According to the agency's press service, the crime was organised by employees of a construction company. In the sales office, potential buyers were shown models, technical passports, powers of attorney and certificates, which created the illusion of the company's ownership of the property.
According to the victims, they were offered flats, commercial premises and parking spaces at below-market prices and were convinced that all transactions were lawful.
However, instead of sale and purchase agreements, the suspects issued booking contracts, deposit agreements and preliminary contracts. Such documents are not subject to mandatory state registration and do not grant buyers ownership rights.
It was noted that citizens transferred money both in cash and by bank transfer — with payments going to the personal accounts of those involved in the scheme and not being recorded in the company's documents. The total amount of damage to citizens amounted to more than 3.8 billion tenge.
The investigation also identified a second scheme: acting on behalf of the construction company, those involved entered into fictitious sale and purchase agreements with buyers and registered ownership rights to the properties.
However, the proceeds from the sales did not enter the company's cash register. The damage to the developer is estimated at 4.1 billion tenge. Thus, the total damage amounted to 7.9 billion tenge.
By court order, law enforcement authorities have seized 94 flats, 51 parking spaces, 8 commercial premises and one car. The court has ordered pre-trial detention for three suspects.
Earlier, it was reported that the AFM department for the Pavlodar region is conducting an investigation into a scheme involving the fictitious employment of pregnant women to illegally obtain social benefits.