An unusual online dating fraud scheme was exposed in Astana, according to Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office.
A group of women contacted men on dating websites and suggested continuing communication in a rented apartment. To make the arrangement appear legitimate, they posted rental ads online in Astana, using fake photos of attractive interiors and requesting a one-day booking.
The men, expecting to meet their new acquaintances, transferred the rental fees. In reality, no such apartments existed. Once the money was received, the women stopped communicating and blocked the victims’ numbers.
Schemes like this are often employed by fraudsters. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, more than 45 people fell victim, with total losses amounting to roughly $1,300.
The court considered that the accused women had pleaded guilty and compensated the victims. Three women were sentenced to restricted freedom for 3 to 3.5 years, placed under probationary supervision and ordered to perform compulsory community service.
The verdict has entered into force. Prosecutors emphasized the importance of verifying information and warned against transferring money to strangers.
