Police in Kokshetau detained a courier in Astana who had taken more than 10 million tenge from a 59-year-old local woman, following a hot trail, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the press service of the Police Department of Akmola Region, a complaint about internet fraud was filed with the Kokshetau police on September 11. The woman said unknown individuals posing as law enforcement officers had convinced her to hand over a large sum of money.
Following the scammers' instructions, the victim collected more than 10 million tenge and handed a package to a courier who arrived at her home. Only after the man disappeared with the money did the woman realize she had been defrauded, and she immediately contacted the police.
"The timely report allowed police officers to identify the courier almost immediately. During initial operational and investigative measures, it was established that the man lives in Astana. Police officers immediately traveled to the capital. Officers searched for the suspect for more than four hours. As a result of the measures taken, the man was identified and detained. The money belonging to the victim was found on him and seized. Fortunately, the perpetrator did not manage to transfer the entire sum he received," the Akmola Region Police Department said.
The detained man said he had received a phone call instructing him to travel to Kokshetau and pick up a package containing money.
Necessary investigative and operational measures are currently underway. Police are establishing whether the detained man may be involved in other similar crimes.