The Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FMA) has reported an investigation into a case involving the management of a structural unit of the Sirius Energy project. According to the agency, the suspect posed as a representative of a Chilean company and offered citizens the opportunity to invest in renewable energy projects.
According to the investigation, participants were promised high returns on their investments. Funds were accepted exclusively in the cryptocurrency USDT, after which investors were given access to personal accounts displaying conditional bonuses.
HOW INVESTORS WERE ATTRACTED
The investigation established that to attract investors, the suspect set up offices in Almaty and Astana. Regular training sessions and meetings with potential project participants were held there.
Promotion was also carried out through social media platforms Instagram and TikTok. According to the FMA, to create the appearance of legitimate activity, a limited liability partnership (LLP) was registered under a third party. The investigation materials note that no actual business activity was conducted by the company.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED
According to the investigation, 380 citizens were affected as a result of the project's activities.
One of the victims, it is reported, was persuaded by the organiser to take out a loan of 3 million tenge, counting on the promised returns from the investment. He stated that no payments were made, and he is now repaying the loan along with accrued interest on his own.
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN
According to the FMA, the organiser's bank accounts have been frozen by court order.
No further information about the case is being disclosed in the interests of the investigation.