An Aktobe resident stood trial on fraud charges after his own relative fell victim to his scheme, losing more than 19 million tenge, according to infohub.kz.
According to case materials, an Aktobe businesswoman asked her sister's husband to find a plot of land for a retail pavilion. The relative claimed there was a suitable plot near a supermarket that could supposedly be leased. After the woman agreed, he began asking for money for paperwork, state fees, and other expenses.
The businesswoman gave him about 7 million tenge, but then abandoned the plot because the lease required monthly payments of 240,000 tenge. The sister's husband did not return the money; instead, he suggested she choose from several plots in another location.
The woman selected different land. The relative promised to help with paperwork, purchasing materials, and building the pavilion itself. The Aktobe woman trusted him and even issued a power of attorney for him to act on her behalf. He continued to ask for money for various needs, sending photos purporting to confirm the paperwork and the construction of the pavilion's frame.
The businesswoman realized there would be neither land nor pavilion only after she had given her sister's husband more than 19 million tenge. At first, she did not want to publicize the situation because they were relatives. However, the sister's husband never returned the money, and the case ultimately ended in a criminal fraud investigation.
In court, the Aktobe man admitted that he spent most of the money he received from his relative on gambling. The victim did not forgive him and demanded that the defendant return her 19 million tenge.
The court found the man guilty of fraud and sentenced him to 6 years in prison, also ordering him to compensate the relative for damages.