Photo: Aibek Skakov / Pexels
An investigation into a group suspected of supporting illegal online casinos Nomadgames, Sultangames and their mirror sites has concluded in Astana. The criminal case has been sent to court, Informburo reported, citing Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency.
According to the agency, the group used payment organisations, bank acquiring services, POS and internet terminals, electronic wallets and cryptocurrency tools to accept money from players.
Investigators describe bank representatives’ alleged role
The agency said banking sector representatives helped connect payment infrastructure, arrange contracts without mandatory checks and assign merchant category codes (MCCs) to internet terminals. Transactions were allegedly presented as legitimate betting and other business activities to conceal their actual purpose.
The total value of transactions processed through electronic terminals exceeded KZT188 billion, according to the agency.
Alleged laundering through a controlled company
Investigators allege that participants used a limited liability company under their control to launder proceeds. Its accounts received KZT10 billion under a fictitious contract. The money was then converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to wallets belonging to the suspects.
Investigators identified transfers of digital assets totalling 19 million USDT.
Assets seized and case sent to court
With court authorisation, authorities seized three apartments and six vehicles, along with cryptoassets and funds in bank accounts worth KZT1.4 billion.
Three suspects were remanded in custody, three were granted bail, and two were placed under written undertakings not to leave and to maintain proper conduct. The criminal case has been sent to court.
