Saintly scammer: How Kazakh philanthropist defrauded fintech giants, donors to Gaza

Can someone fraudulently collect money from fellow citizens in one country under the guise of helping victims in faraway Gaza? As it turns out, yes, they can. Sham fundraising and the abuse of donor trust are not exclusive to any particular region, religion or culture.

One of the most high-profile charity scandals to surface recently involves Kazakh entrepreneur Perizat Kairat, whose case has sparked national reflection. The criminal proceedings surrounding her widely publicized fraud case concluded last week in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital.

The verdict

On July 25, 2025, a criminal court announced the verdict in the case of Perizat and her mother, Gaini Alashbayeva. The court found both women guilty of fraud and money laundering.

Perizat was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while her mother received a seven-year sentence. They were also barred from engaging in charitable work, an area they had exploited as a front to solicit and misappropriate funds from numerous Kazakhstanis.

Perizat was accused of embezzling funds intended for flood victims in Kazakhstan and misappropriating donations collected for victims of the conflict in Palestine.

The court determined that material damages owed to 50 verified victims totaled nearly $3 million. Aggravating circumstances included the fact that the crimes were committed during a national state of emergency in 2024, following Kazakhstan’s most destructive spring floods in 80 years.

Major victims

The trial centered on three main episodes of alleged fraud, as reported by Azattyq.org.

The first episode dates back to 2021, when Perizat organized several charity events and auctions to raise money for the construction of a children’s rehabilitation center. Reviewing the circumstances of the case in this episode, the trial unexpectedly spotlighted a pair of boxing gloves belonging to Gennadiy «GGG» Golovkin, which had been purchased by one of Perizat’s victims at a charity auction for approximately $23,500.

The convict also solicited donations from individual entrepreneurs, ultimately raising about $230,000 between 2022 and 2024. Prosecutors said she used the funds for personal expenses instead of the promised project.

The second episode involves a fundraising campaign for humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. In October 2023, Perizat contacted the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan and expressed a desire to provide financial and humanitarian assistance. An agreement was reached, and she called on citizens to support Gaza residents via social media. Over the next six months, more than $1 million was raised. However, only about $15,000 was transferred to the diplomatic mission. Investigators reported that Perizat used the remaining funds to purchase a house, vehicles, a flower business, and to pay for hotel stays and flights for personal use.

The third episode involves collecting donations to assist victims of the devastating 2024 floods in Kazakhstan. During that time, Perizat took to social media to announce that the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 fund was accepting aid. Overall, the campaign raised about $5 million. However, only around $1.7 million was used for humanitarian assistance. Prosecutors claimed that Perizat had embezzled the remaining funds.

Cashing out

According to the investigation, Perizat transferred the money to accounts of private entrepreneurs, allegedly as payment for goods and services, and then withdrew the funds in cash. She reportedly used the money to buy four luxury homes, a plot of land, jewelry, and to cover travel expenses.

During the trial, witness Adilkhan Mussin detailed how the funds intended for Kazakhstan’s flood victims were siphoned off. According to his testimony, money from the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 fund was transferred to the accounts of individual entrepreneurs. Mussin said he then collected the cash from those accounts and handed it over to Perizat.

On average, each entrepreneur received about $150,000, and approximately 12 to 13 entrepreneurs were involved in the scheme. Mussin testified that Perizat personally collected the money, which was packed for convenience in large plaid Chinese bags.

Perizat’s 58-year-old mother played an active role in the scheme by allowing her bank accounts to be used for transferring and embezzling the funds.

Fintechs involved

Students, retired citizens, members of a nationally renowned school’s parent committee, a poultry farm worker and employees from a regional treasury department — this is just a partial list of those who placed their trust in Perizat.

Not only ordinary citizens, but also major Kazakh banks responded to her calls for aid.

Kaspi Bank transferred over $1 million to her fund to support flood victims, as revealed during the trial.

In June 2024, Perizat reported to Kaspi Bank that about $900,000 had been spent on boats, generators and diapers, with the rest allocated to food and other essentials. Investigators later discovered she had stolen the funds.

When asked in court why the bank chose to donate to the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 fund, Kaspi Bank’s lawyer said management was influenced by reports that Jusan Bank, now operating as Alatau City Bank, had contributed about $600,000. As a result, Kaspi decided to follow suit.