(28 January 2026 | Source: press service of the Astana city prosecutor's office)
In Astana a sentence has been passed on a 30-year-old man who, from 2021 to 2025, posed as a mortgage broker on Instagram and took money from citizens under various pretences.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKED
The man promised to help with purchasing housing under the '7-20-25' programme, and also offered to invest in a supposedly profitable furniture project. By misleading people, he convinced them to transfer large sums. After receiving the money, he failed to fulfil his obligations and kept the funds.
VICTIMS AND DAMAGES
According to case materials, 25 people were affected. The total amount of damages caused exceeded 95 million tenge. The breakdown of damages between the victims was not specified in court.
SENTENCE
The court took into account the guilty plea, the presence of a young child, and partial compensation for damages. The man was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Law enforcement agencies urge citizens to be vigilant and to carefully verify information about individuals and organisations to whom they entrust their money, especially when it comes to financial offers online.
Earlier, the FBK editorial team reported on a teacher from the city of Kostanay who deceived colleagues out of 3.6 million tenge through online loans from microfinance organisations, misleading them under the pretext of providing financial assistance.