Astana authorities have completed an investigation into the repeated sale of the same apartments in the Qyran residential complex. The developer's management allegedly entered into contracts with multiple buyers for the same units over two years. Total damages exceed 4.5 billion tenge, reports 24KZ.

Fifty-one individuals and one legal entity have been recognized as victims. Four suspects are in custody, and the case has been referred to the Astana inter-district criminal court.

One affected family purchased an apartment in 2024. After the deal, the housing was registered via eGov, and a certificate showed no encumbrances. However, in autumn 2025, the apartment was seized.

“Two days later we obtained a certificate via eGov showing no encumbrances. The apartment was clean and registered under our name. We moved in and held a housewarming. But in autumn 2025 we learned it had been seized,” said Astana resident Samat Malikov.

Other buyers faced similar problems. Capital resident Aynagul Bakirova said she bought three apartments in January 2025 and handed over cash at the company's office. “The company owners personally took my money. They counted the amount, gave me three deposit agreements and three payment orders. Then they showed the construction permit, the commissioning certificate, and assured me everything was legal and I could start renovations,” Bakirova said.

According to the city's economic investigation department, all contracts were signed and money handed over at the company office in the presence of the accused. Investigators believe the funds were deposited into the suspects' accounts, but accounting and bank documents did not specify who the money belonged to. Law enforcement suspects the company may have been evading taxes.

The defendants are charged with embezzlement or misappropriation of entrusted property, large-scale fraud, and arbitrary action. “The pre-trial investigation is complete, and the indictment has been approved by the Astana prosecutor's office. The criminal case has been sent to the inter-district criminal court for substantive consideration,” law enforcement officials said. If convicted, the defendants face five to 12 years in prison.

The court will also decide the fate of the seized apartments. Buyers fear they will have to separately prove their rights to the housing in civil proceedings. For many victims, these apartments are their only property.