Astana police have stopped the illegal activities of a 34-year-old local resident who defrauded market sellers by showing fake payment receipts, reports the website inbusiness.kz.
The suspect deliberately visited shops, posing as a regular customer. He would select fruits and vegetables, pretend to make a transfer via a mobile app, and then show a fake receipt. Believing the payment had gone through, the sellers handed over the goods.
It turned out this was not his first fraudulent episode. The suspect had previously scammed several vendors in a similar manner. Authorities are now investigating his involvement in other similar crimes.
A pre-trial investigation is underway.
Police advise sellers and business owners not to hand over goods until the actual receipt of money into their bank account is confirmed.
"If you have been a victim of this individual's illegal actions or faced a similar situation, immediately report it via channel 102 or contact your nearest police station," police said in a statement to citizens.