Kazakhstan extradites The Finiko unit head from Turkey after four-year manhunt

September 14, 2026 at 10:16 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan's Financial Monitoring Agency returned from Turkey the head of a structural unit of the The Finiko pyramid scheme, who had been on an international wanted list since 2022. The operation was carried out by the Almaty AFM Department together with Interpol's National Central Bureau under the coordination of prosecutors. Investigators say the suspect attracted more than 160 million tenge from investors and that a land plot worth 221 million tenge has been confiscated to the state.

Key Facts

The suspect headed a structural unit of The Finiko and had been on an international wanted list since 2022.
The Almaty AFM Department, Interpol's National Central Bureau, and prosecutors jointly carried out the extradition from Turkey.
Investigators say The Finiko conducted no real business or investment activity and paid earlier participants with money from new investors.
The suspect attracted more than 160 million tenge from investors, according to the AFM.
A land plot belonging to the suspect, valued at 221 million tenge, was confiscated to the state as part of pre-trial confiscation.
Three other defendants in the case were previously sentenced to up to six years in prison with confiscation of property.

The Extradition

Kazakhstan's Financial Monitoring Agency returned the head of a structural unit of The Finiko from Turkey on September 14, 2026. The suspect had been on an international wanted list since 2022. The operation was carried out by the Almaty AFM Department together with Interpol's National Central Bureau under the coordination of prosecutors. The investigation is ongoing, and other details are not disclosed under Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The Scheme

Investigators established that The Finiko conducted no real entrepreneurial or investment activity. Payments to earlier participants were made exclusively from funds received from new investors. This scheme created the appearance of profitability and allowed the continued attraction of citizens' money. As a result of the suspect's illegal activity, more than 160 million tenge of investors' funds were attracted into the pyramid.

Asset Confiscation and Prior Convictions

As part of pre-trial confiscation, a land plot belonging to the suspect, valued at 221 million tenge, was transferred to state revenue. Three other defendants in this criminal case were previously sentenced to up to six years in prison with confiscation of property. The Finiko company was officially recognized as a financial pyramid in July 2021. The company attracted money from citizens by promising monthly returns of up to 150% of the deposited amount with a minimum investment of $500. According to the company's website, the number of investors exceeded 165,000 people from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and other countries.