A court in Karaganda has issued a verdict in a fraud case that left 461 people affected. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the regional court, two women were charged with embezzlement of others' property, committed repeatedly, against two or more persons, on a large and especially large scale.
One of the defendants organized groups via WhatsApp to sell goods from China and Turkey at low prices. In those groups, she offered dishes and various household items.
To attract buyers, reviews about the delivery of goods were published. Later, the two women advertised furniture, household appliances and cars at prices significantly below market, using videos featuring reviews from third parties.
They accepted orders and money from buyers but failed to fulfill their obligations. As a result of the defendants' actions, 461 people suffered damage, with total losses exceeding 700 million tenge.
The defendants did not plead guilty, and the defense asked for their acquittal. The court sentenced each to 6 years and 8 months in prison, with the execution of the sentence postponed for one year.
The victims' civil claims were partially satisfied, and the guilty parties were ordered to pay over 700 million tenge, the court said.