Astana man receives sentence for TikTok magic healing scam

A court in Astana sentenced a man who posed as a magic healer on TikTok, persuading people that he possessed psychic abilities and «healed» them for a fee. When no recovery occurred, the plaintiffs reported him to law enforcement, and the case proceeded to trial, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office press service.

The defendant sought potential customers through social media posts. After discovering that a woman was experiencing health issues, he convinced her that he could help through «magic» for a fee. He used the same method to mislead two more people.

According to the court, the defendant received more than $10,864, which he later placed as bets at a bookmaker.

At the judgment proceedings, the prosecution presented evidence proving the defendant’s guilt. The man admitted to the charges and partially reimbursed the damages.

The court sentenced him to two years and four months of imprisonment. The sentence has taken effect.

In a separate case in February 2025, a woman in Kostanay won a lawsuit against a tarot fortune-teller who had falsely predicted her relationships would recover after her husband’s infidelity.