In Karaganda, a 78-year-old local resident fell victim to an elaborate fraud scheme, losing her gold jewelry and 15 million tenge. Three women deceived the pensioner under the pretext of 'removing a curse', reports infohub.kz.
The incident occurred when the pensioner was returning home. Three strangers approached her and asked for directions to a dental clinic. However, the conversation quickly turned into psychological manipulation based on superstitions and fears. One of the women claimed that an old curse had been placed on the pensioner by a close person, and removing it was the only way to prevent the death of someone dear to her.
Succumbing to the suggestion, the victim did not see the danger in the actions of the criminals. The belief that they wanted to help her as a 'good person' only increased her trust. The fraudsters told her to buy a 'cleansing' needle for a symbolic sum, made touches intended to 'transfer' the curse, and asked her to bring a raw egg. The pensioner went home and followed the instructions.
Then the criminals declared the need to 'remove the curse' from her gold jewelry and money by wrapping them in newspaper. The Karaganda resident handed over her savings and valuables. Promising complete deliverance from 'evil', they gave her a sealed package, instructing her to burn it after 40 days and bring the ashes to the same place.
However, that very night the pensioner decided to check the contents of the package and found only empty paper. The gold and money totaling 15 million tenge had disappeared without a trace.
Thanks to the detailed description provided by the victim, operatives managed to track down the suspects. It turned out that the three women, residents of Pavlodar, Almaty, and the Zhetysu region, may have been involved in similar crimes before. Attempts to locate them at their registered addresses were unsuccessful. However, after receiving information about their possible presence in Temirtau, the suspects were detained. The victim identified them at the police department named after Kazybek bi.
Currently, necessary investigative actions are being carried out, and the suspects have been placed in a temporary detention facility.