Two residents of the Kostanay Region received two-year prison sentences for unlicensed microfinance activity and the legalisation of criminal proceeds. The income from the illegal activity exceeded 579 million tenge.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKED
According to the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA), in 2024–2025 the convicted individuals organised the operations of four companies — Soiuz-Kostanay LLP, Express Tenge LLP, Express Gold LLP and Express․com LLP.
The network operated mainly in district centres and villages of the Kostanay Region. Clients were offered money secured against jewellery without turning to banks or other financial organisations.
WHY THE TRANSACTIONS WERE PROCESSED AS COMMISSION TRADE
In reality, clients were given funds secured against property. A daily fee of 0.4% was charged for the use of the money.
No written loan agreements were concluded. To process the transactions as commission activity, documents were used in which payments were described as a commission for deferred sale of goods or as a fee for their storage.
WHAT THE COURT DECIDED
According to the FMA, over two years more than 1,600 citizens used the services of the four companies. The income from the activity exceeded 579 million tenge.
The court sentenced both defendants to two years' imprisonment with confiscation of property. The list of confiscated property included five flats, three cars and two plots of land.
The verdict has not entered into legal force.