In the Aktobe region, criminal proceedings have been initiated against a contractor who collected money for the construction of a sewer system but never started the work, reports infohub.kz.
Residents of a private sector in Aktobe approached a contractor two years ago to build a sewer system in their area. The residents say they had been forced to use septic tanks and pay 8,000 tenge for pumping out up to four times a month for decades. Two years ago, they turned to a company that promised to solve the long-standing problem. They collected 300,000 tenge from each of 28 households, but the work never began.
"He demanded money from us. You see who lives here? Many pensioners. They took out loans to pay the 300,000 tenge. Then he kept promising for two years. Every day! When a tractor comes, we all run out, but it just passes by. He even brought three pipes. He lied to us every day!" said Zauresh Imzharova, a resident of Aktobe.
The residents turned to the police. According to their calculations, the damage amounts to nearly 9 million tenge. Law enforcement has opened a criminal case.
"A criminal case has been opened under Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, 'Fraud.' Currently, a set of necessary investigative actions is being carried out to consolidate evidence. Based on the results, a legal decision will be made," said Erbolat Sarkulov, head of the press service of the Aktobe Regional Police Department.