In Karaganda, a prosecutor has requested six years and eight months in prison with a one-year deferral for an entrepreneur accused of defrauding more than 500 people. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The woman promised to deliver goods from China at low prices and received about 1 billion tenge from clients.

How clients were defrauded

A resident of Akmola Region accepted orders and prepayments from buyers across the country via messengers. She offered household items, clothing and cars, advertised her services through bloggers and displayed a wealthy lifestyle.

According to the TV channel, only the first clients received their goods. The rest have been waiting for their orders for a second year now.

Victim's testimony

"People agreed because they were told beautiful speeches, they were lied to well. All kinds of advertisements, for example, for buying cars. They bought advertising from other people, they did not supply the cars themselves. And thereby they gained people's trust, and transferred all the sums. 'The last spot is left on the car carrier, please hurry up and buy it,'" said victim Anastasia Semenova.

Case progress

The entrepreneur and her manager are under house arrest. According to KTK, the first has seven children, the second has a young child.

Victims asked to sentence both defendants to 10 years in prison each and oblige them to return the money. The prosecutor requested a sentence of six years and eight months with a one-year deferral.

Court hearing

At the hearing on October 12, the entrepreneur asked to be acquitted. She explained the failure to deliver by saying she had overestimated her capabilities, and stated that if free she could return the money to clients.

"As a supplier, I failed to fulfill my obligations. There are very many people, so the delivery times increased. I overestimated my strength, I could not deliver the goods. I ask you to give me a chance to make refunds to people," said the defendant.

Why it matters

This case demonstrates the risks of fraud in online trading and receiving prepayments via messengers. More than 500 people suffered, with the total amount reaching about 1 billion tenge. A court decision is expected soon.