Kazakhstan: FMA Uncovers Illegal Online Casino Scheme

cover Photo: Screenshot of RK FMA video

Financial authorities have exposed a large-scale illegal online gambling operation that funneled more than 600 billion tenge out of Kazakhstan, Orda.kz reports.

According to the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA), the scheme involved owners of fintech services using “gray” POS terminals and fictitious contracts with bookmakers to conceal transfers as legitimate payments. More than 20 payment organizations, along with bank employees, were implicated.

Law enforcement also shut down a call center that supported four online casinos.

The call center that assisted four online casinos and provided financial transaction consultations was also shut down. It employed 120 people from Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Spain, and Vietnam. The call center also operated an affiliate program for cryptocurrency transactions, with a turnover of over $200 million,
 the Financial Monitoring Agency revealed.

More than 70 searches were conducted, nine suspects have been detained, and eight additional individuals — including foreign nationals — are expected to be placed on an international wanted list.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina

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