Aktobe Uncovers Scheme to Launder 120 Million Tenge via Droppers

In Aktobe, an investigation is underway into a group suspected of aiding internet fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, dropper activity, and legalization of criminal proceeds. This was reported by the Financial Monitoring Agency. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

According to the investigation, the group created a scheme for receiving, converting, and laundering money stolen from citizens through phone and internet fraud. The group included more than ten people, and over 150 droppers were involved in the operations.

Participants used pre-prepared mobile phones with banking apps and crypto wallets. This allowed them to remotely manage droppers' accounts and conduct financial transactions without their direct involvement.

Using blockchain analytics tools, investigators reconstructed the alleged money flow scheme. Victims' money first went to transit bank accounts, then was transferred to accounts of controlled droppers.

After that, funds were directed to a cryptocurrency platform to purchase USDT digital assets. To give operations a semblance of legality, according to the investigation, fictitious loan agreements and shell companies were used. At the final stage, money was cashed out and exchanged for foreign currency.

The investigation identified 80 victims from 16 regions of Kazakhstan. The total damage exceeded 120 million tenge.

Eight alleged group members were taken into custody, and two others were placed under house arrest.

With court approval, the suspects' property was seized, including eight apartments, a car, and digital assets worth 52,000 USDT.

The investigation continues. Other details are not disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Earlier, Kursiv reported that a 22-year-old man was detained in Almaty on suspicion of aiding an international network of internet fraudsters. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he transported smartphones and bank cards, cashed out stolen money, and also handed over cards of Kazakhstani citizens to organizers of fraudulent schemes abroad.