Kyzylorda Housing Scam: Hundreds of Victims, Millions Lost

Kyzylorda Housing Scam: 150 Victims, 200 Million Tenge Lost Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan – A significant housing scam has been uncovered in Kyzylorda, targeting citizens on the lengthy waiting list for affordable housing. Over the past three years, approximately 150 individuals have fallen victim to fraudsters who promised to expedite their place in line for a fee, resulting in a total loss of 200 million tenge. "The scheme was simple," explains a police spokesperson. "The scammers claimed connections within the local government, promising to move applicants up the housing queue." The police are actively investigating multiple cases and have launched criminal proceedings against 17 individuals involved in the scheme. They emphasize that the housing allocation process is transparent and that no official can influence the order. This year alone, over ten similar fraud cases have been registered. Authorities urge citizens to report any suspicious activity related to housing allocation and to rely only on official channels for information. They also advise against paying any fees to individuals claiming to be able to expedite the process. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to recover the stolen funds and bring those responsible to justice.