Suspect faces possible extradition to Kazakhstan
A 69-year-old foreigner wanted by Kazakh authorities was arrested on Wednesday in the Algarve by Portugal’s PJ police in connection with a suspected €1.8 million fraud scheme.
According to the PJ, the man is believed to have played a central role in a criminal operation that ran in Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2022, involving fabricated contracts for the supply of sports uniforms and equipment. These contracts were allegedly signed with affiliated organisations as part of a broader financial scam.
The scheme reportedly caused losses of around €1.8 million to the Kazakh state, PJ police report. The illicit funds were distributed among members of the group and later transferred using intermediaries or issued as dividends.
The arrest was made under a detention warrant issued by Kazakhstan, and the suspect is scheduled to appear before a judge at the Court of Évora. Extradition proceedings are expected to follow. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison.
