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Fraud

Thousands of Kazakhstanis Added to Financial Watchlists Over Suspected Fraud

Several thousand citizens in Kazakhstan have been placed on so-called “dropper” lists, individuals suspected of using their bank accounts to facilitate the withdrawal of illicit funds. The announcement was made by Madina Abylkasymova, Chair of the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDFM). According to Abylkasymova, suspected individuals are initially placed on a “gray” list, where all financial transactions are temporarily blocked. If the allegations are confirmed, individuals are then transferred to a blacklist. “Currently, we already have several thousand people on these lists,” she said. The Prosecutor General’s Office recently reported identifying more than 6,000 individuals believed to be involved in embezzlement schemes using personal banking infrastructure. Beginning this fall, legislative amendments will introduce criminal liability for the unauthorized transfer of payment instruments. Abylkasymova emphasized that citizens will be prohibited from handing over bank cards even to relatives. “This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to funds and protects customers from disputed debits,” she explained. Since the start of the year, individuals have also been limited to a maximum of five bank cards per financial institution. The restriction was introduced in response to criminal cases where hundreds of cards were issued to a single person and later used in drug trafficking operations. Despite these tightening regulations, Abylkasymova reassured the public that cash will remain in circulation. “Paper tenge will always be used in Kazakhstan, alongside non-cash transactions and the digital tenge,” she said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, banks and mobile operators will now be held jointly liable for internet fraud committed via their platforms, as part of broader efforts to curb financial cybercrime.

Fraud

Uzbek National in U.S. Faces Deportation Following Voter Fraud Conviction

An Uzbek citizen, Sanjar Djamilov, is facing deportation from the United States after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud, according to a U.S. court ruling reported by Florida Politics. Djamilov, 33, who resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, was sentenced to time served and placed under supervised release pending deportation. He has been remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals and is awaiting processing by the Bureau of Customs and Immigration. If deported, he will be barred from re-entering the U.S. without explicit government authorization. The court imposed a $100 assessment on Djamilov, but waived restitution and other fees. According to investigators, Djamilov and a Russian national, Dmitry Shushlebin, submitted 132 fraudulent voter registration applications to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections between February and March 2023. The applications were flagged for identical formatting, repeated typographical errors, sequential Social Security numbers, and recurring birth dates, raising immediate suspicion. Authorities say the pair also submitted change-of-address forms to the U.S. Postal Service to redirect official mail to three addresses under their control. The case was jointly investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, following a referral from the Florida Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security. In an April 2025 plea agreement, Djamilov admitted that Shushlebin had hired him and others to submit more than 100 fraudulent applications. While Djamilov has now been sentenced, Shushlebin has also pleaded guilty but is still awaiting sentencing. Djamilov had faced up to five years in prison for his involvement. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, 131 citizens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were repatriated from the U.S. on a special charter flight in May 2025. Funded by the Uzbek government, the operation reflected growing cooperation between Washington and Tashkent on migration and security issues.

Fraud

Embezzlement Scandal at Kazakh Charity Fund Implicates Influential Officials

A high-profile scandal is unfolding in Kazakhstan involving the alleged embezzlement of billions of tenge from the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan (“We Are Together”) charity fund. Testimony from the fund’s embattled director, Perizat Kairat, alongside ongoing press investigations, has implicated several prominent officials. The Rise and Fall of Perizat Kairat Charitable giving in Kazakhstan remains underdeveloped, with many humanitarian organizations struggling to secure adequate funding. The Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan fund, however, stood out. Backed by donations from large banks, business leaders, and individuals, it quickly amassed substantial sums. Established in June 2021, the fund came under scrutiny after Kairat’s arrest in November 2024. She was initially charged with embezzling more than KZT 1.5 billion ($2.8 million) raised during the spring 2024 floods, the worst to hit Kazakhstan in 80 years, affecting twelve regions and leaving thousands homeless. Subsequent investigations raised the alleged embezzled amount to KZT 2.9 billion ($5.4 million). The authorities claim Kairat and her mother, Gaini Alashbaeva, used the funds to purchase luxury real estate, vehicles, designer goods, and pay for lavish travel. Funds collected for humanitarian aid to Gaza residents were also reportedly misappropriated. Additional allegations include collecting over KZT 105 million ($200,000) for festivals such as Central Asia Fest and Almaty Uni, which were never held, and for a rehabilitation center, which was never built. Support for the fund was boosted by advertising through Kazakhstan’s largest financial platform, Kaspi.kz, which promoted it within its mobile app. During court proceedings, Kaspi.kz confirmed transferring KZT 620 million ($1.2 million) to the fund. Another major contributor, Jusan Bank (now Alatau City Bank), reportedly also donated KZT 300 million ($560,000). Misplaced Trust Public trust in the fund was bolstered by the widespread belief that it was affiliated with the state. For instance, an elderly woman from Pavlodar testified that she donated KZT 1 million, believing it was a government initiative. Parents from Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) who transferred KZT 901,000 are now demanding its return to assist a seriously ill teacher. Witnesses claim Kairat collected cash through intermediaries using large market-style bags. Political Connections and Allegations Perizat Kairat’s defense has drawn high-level political figures into the spotlight. On July 14, she requested the court summon Bauyrzhan Baybek, former mayor of Almaty and ex-first deputy chairman of the ruling Amanat Party (formerly Nur Otan), for questioning. Kairat alleges that the fund was “created under the leadership of Baybek,” claiming all its founders, except herself, were current or former party employees. Amanat, Kazakhstan’s dominant political party, has publicly denied any connection to Kairat or the foundation. Though President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev resigned from the party leadership in April 2022, Amanat remains politically influential and retains close ties to many government officials. Kazakh outlet Orda.kz examined Kairat’s social media to explore potential links between the fund and state institutions. It found the foundation's founders had associations with the BizBirgemiz volunteer movement, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic under a state initiative of the same name. Just a month after its registration, the foundation hosted a charity...

Telecommunications

Kazakhstan to Curb SIM Card Issuance Amid Rising Digital Fraud

Kazakhstan is considering new restrictions on the number of SIM cards individuals and legal entities can possess, in a bid to combat growing digital fraud. The proposal was announced by First Deputy Prosecutor General Timur Tashimbayev during a parliamentary session where the corresponding bill is under discussion. Targeting Scams Through Regulation The draft legislation proposes a cap, either five or ten SIM cards per individual, as well as the introduction of video verification during registration, mirroring procedures used in the financial sector. “Unfortunately, anyone can currently purchase SIM cards with virtually no oversight. They’re sold in stores, handed out during promotions, and it’s nearly impossible to track who is using them and for what purpose,” Tashimbayev said. In collaboration with mobile operators, the Prosecutor General’s Office has also developed methods to detect so-called SIM boxes, devices used to mask international internet calls as local traffic. In the past year, law enforcement seized 78 such devices and over 50,000 SIM cards connected to illegal operations. Data and Legislative Developments Since 2019, Kazakhstan has mandated registration of mobile devices through a combination of IMEI number, SIM card, and the subscriber’s Individual Identification Number (IIN), creating a digital footprint for each user. Despite this, new forms of fraud continue to emerge. In 2023, discussions began around biometric identification for remote telecom services. The plan would require users to provide facial recognition data when registering SIM cards, a move aimed at deterring the use of fake identities. Reclaiming the Numbering Plan In October 2024, Vice Minister of Digital Development Askhat Orazbek announced plans to return control over the country’s numbering plan to the state. Under the proposal, new numbers would be issued via the eGov portal and its mobile app. The initiative also includes differentiating SIM cards by purpose. While private users will face strict limits, legal entities will be required to justify the need for each card issued. “We will cap the number of SIM cards per person. Legal entities issuing them on a large scale must provide documentation justifying their use,” Orazbek stated. Universal SIM Cards on the Horizon Alongside restrictions, Kazakhstan is considering the rollout of universal SIM cards. Enabled by a draft law on virtual telecom operators, these cards would be compatible with the nearest base stations of any network provider, thanks to shared infrastructure access. Adapting to New Digital Threats With cyber fraud becoming increasingly sophisticated, Kazakhstan is taking a multi-pronged approach to enhance digital security. The proposed limits on SIM card ownership, enhanced registration protocols, and the development of virtual operators are central to this evolving strategy to combat telecom-related crime.

Fraud

Uzbekistan Warns of Labor Migration Fraud involving United States

The press service of the State Security Service (SGB) of Uzbekistan has reported cases of fraud centered around false promises of helping Uzbek workers obtain documents to work in the United States. The first case took place in the capital, Tashkent, where three fraudsters were caught red-handed defrauding six people out of a total of $32,000 by promising to help them obtain visa documents and send them to work in the U.S. via Europe. The next instance took place in Bukhara, where a thrice-convicted local resident offered to help a friend obtain a visa and employment in the U.S., requesting a payment of $40,000. He was detained in the act of receiving the first payment of $30,000. The next three incidents took place in Samarkand. In the first case, two men offered a resident the same services, but via a roundabout route: Uzbekistan - Turkey - Portugal - Guatemala - Mexico - USA. They also asked for a smaller payment of $23,000. When they received the $10,000 advance payment, they were detained. In the second case, the two promised to provide the same services and send the man on the same route. They also demanded $23,000 and were apprehended when receiving an advance payment. A third case followed a similar pattern. in all cases, criminal proceedings were initiated under articles pertaining to fraud in the criminal code.