In the Aktobe Region, authorities are investigating a case concerning alleged complicity in internet fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, dropper activities, and the legalisation of criminal proceeds. According to the investigation, the suspects organised a scheme for receiving, converting, and legalising funds obtained through telephone and internet fraud. The amount of damage, according to the investigation, exceeds 120 million tenge.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
The investigation is being conducted by the department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) in the Aktobe Region. The investigation believes that a criminal group was operating in Aktobe, which created a stable scheme for receiving, converting, and legalising funds stolen from citizens as a result of telephone and internet fraud.
According to the investigation, the group included more than 10 participants, and over 150 droppers were involved in implementing the scheme.
HOW THE SCHEME OPERATED
According to the investigation, the participants used pre-prepared mobile phones with installed banking applications and crypto wallets. This, it is alleged, allowed them to remotely manage the accounts of droppers and carry out financial transactions without their direct involvement.
The AFM reported that using blockchain analysis tools, the alleged scheme for the movement of funds was reconstructed. According to the agency, the funds first passed through transit bank accounts, then were deposited into accounts controlled by droppers, after which they were transferred to a cryptocurrency platform to purchase digital assets USDT.
To give the operations an appearance of legality, fictitious loan agreements and shell companies were used. At the final stage, the funds were cashed out and exchanged for foreign currency.
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN
According to the AFM, 8 suspects have been placed in custody. Another 2 suspects have been placed under house arrest as a preventive measure.
By court order, the property of the suspects has been seized, including 8 apartments, a car, and digital assets amounting to $52,000.
WHAT IS KNOWN AT THE MOMENT
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is being disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
