Outrage in Kazakhstan as self-proclaimed psychic lies about missing teen

A social media controversy has erupted in Kazakhstan over the search for a missing 15-year-old girl in Astana after a self-proclaimed «clairvoyant» claimed the teenager was dead while her family and volunteers were still hoping to find her alive.

Read also: Psychic services a booming business in Kazakhstan — corporations among top clients.

Aruzhan Utegen went missing in Astana on July 23, 2026. During the search, the Instagram account yasnovidenie_astana reposted a missing-person poster and claimed that the teenager was no longer alive.

«Unfortunately, I don’t see this girl alive,» the account’s author wrote, alleging without evidence that a man had taken the girl away and that she had been raped and was under the influence of illegal drugs.

The author also claimed the girl was lying somewhere outside the city and would be found within a few days, adding condolences to her family and friends.

The post sparked outrage among social media users, who said such claims were inappropriate and potentially traumatic for the girl’s relatives. The account’s author reportedly blocked users who criticized the post.

Police confirm girl was found safe

The claims were later contradicted by police. The Nura district police department in Astana said the missing teenager had been found and was safe.

«The minor, previously reported missing, has been identified and located. Her life and health are currently not in danger,» the department said.

Police thanked members of the public who had expressed concern and urged people not to spread false information.

The police statement prompted hundreds of comments from users condemning the purported psychic’s post. Some called on law enforcement to investigate whether the account owner could be held legally responsible for spreading false information and causing public alarm.

The author later deleted the original post and, according to social media users, the account itself.