Astana, 19 October. Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB) detained 13 Chinese citizens who were staying in the country in breach of the law and uncovered a covert online fraud scheme; on 16 October the detainees were expelled and handed over to the competent Chinese authorities (Kazinform, LS).
Computers, mobile phones, Starlink satellite communication kits and large sums in cryptocurrency were found on the detainees. According to the KNB, the group targeted citizens of other countries and the scheme was coordinated from abroad. Some of the detainees were wanted in China for similar crimes (Kazinform, LS).
The KNB did not say which countries or how many people were affected (Kazinform).
Background: Expulsion is the forced removal of a foreign national from the country; all 13 people were handed over to Chinese law enforcement for further proceedings (LS).
List of sources used: Kazinform, LS
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
