In Aktobe, the court found the organisers of the financial pyramid "Harmony Rider Technology" (HRT) guilty and sentenced them to prison terms of up to 6 years.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKED
The investigation was conducted by the department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) in Aktobe Region.
The investigation established that in 2024, a group of individuals organised a financial pyramid, presenting it as an international company. Participants were offered to invest in a project supposedly related to the purchase and rental of electric scooters abroad.
The payments to depositors, as determined by the court, were formed solely from the contributions of new participants. To attract clients, advertising campaigns on social networks and messengers, as well as offline presentations, were used. An office was rented in Aktobe, where meetings and promotional events were held.
HOW MUCH DEPOSITORS INVESTED
The amount of investments ranged from $350 to $20,000, while the claimed income was between $12 and $690 per day.
As a result, 115 depositors were drawn into the scheme, investing over 197 million tenge.
HOW THE FUNDS WERE HANDLED
According to the AFM, funds were withdrawn through cryptocurrency wallets, subsequently converted and transferred to bank accounts.
With the raised money, the organisers purchased 3 cars, one of which was registered in the name of a relative.
COURT DECISION
The court found the organisers guilty and sentenced them to various prison terms, the maximum of which was 6 years.
The court also ordered the confiscation of 3 cars for the benefit of the state.
The verdict has entered into legal force.