A citizen of Kazakhstan, suspected of embezzling more than 1.8 billion tenge, has been extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to Kazakhstan. According to the investigation, he was part of an organised group that arranged loans with no intention of repayment.
WHAT IS KNOWN
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the investigation established that between 2022 and 2024, three citizens of Kazakhstan formed an organised criminal group and devised a scheme for securing bank loans with no intention of repayment.
Group members recruited individuals to take out bank loans to purchase cars. The vehicles were then sold, and the proceeds were used for personal gain.
WHAT SCHEMES WERE USED
The investigation also claims that group members used another scheme involving loans for cars that did not actually exist.
Fictitious vehicles were illegally registered at the Specialised Service Centre (SpetsTsON) in Almaty as if they had arrived from Kyrgyzstan. Following this, loans for their purchase were taken out in the names of third parties at second-tier banks. The money obtained, according to the investigation, was also used for personal gain.
WHAT STAGE IS THE CASE AT
As a result of the alleged illegal activities, damage was caused to two financial institutions and 77 victims. The total amount of damage amounted to over 1.8 billion tenge.
The investigation into two alleged group members has been completed, and the criminal case has been sent to court. The third suspect, according to the Prosecutor General's Office, fled from the investigation authorities after the alleged crimes and was placed on the wanted list.
HOW THE EXTRADITION PROCEEDED
As a result of operational search measures, the suspect was located and detained on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. Upon the request of the Prosecutor General's Office, he was extradited to Kazakhstan.
The suspect has currently been placed in a pre-trial detention centre.
The crime with which the suspect is charged carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
