In Astana, a scheme for illegally issuing Individual Identification Numbers (IIN) to foreign nationals without their actual presence in the country has been identified and stopped. The criminal case has already been sent to court.
WHAT INVESTIGATORS ESTABLISHED
The Department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) for the city of Astana identified an illegal scheme involving the unlawful issuance of IINs using corrupt mechanisms and information systems of state bodies.
According to the law, foreign nationals can only obtain an IIN if they are physically present in the country and after mandatory biometric identification. However, as noted in the materials, a scheme was organised in 2024–2025 that allowed IINs to be issued remotely without the actual presence of the applicants.
HOW THE SCHEME OPERATED
A social media channel was used to find foreign nationals interested in obtaining an IIN remotely.
Employees of the branch of NJSC 'State Corporation 'Government for Citizens' in the city of Astana were involved in the scheme. According to the investigation, they entered deliberately false information into the Public Service Centre's information system and created fake applications for obtaining IINs.
The payment was transferred through intermediaries via bank transfers, after which it was distributed among the participants of the scheme.
WHAT STAGE THE CASE IS AT
The criminal case has been sent to court. Other information is not disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.