Astana woman jailed for selling fake Vietnam airline tickets to 70 people

Tengrinews.kz - A resident of Astana has been sentenced to prison after scamming 70 Kazakhstanis by selling them fake airline tickets to Vietnam, citing the Prosecutor General's Office.

The woman offered flight tickets at prices below market rates, claiming she had access to special booking channels. However, instead of real tickets, she provided forged itineraries. Victims only discovered the scam at the airport when they attempted to check in for their flights.

"Among the victims were both adults and children. The total financial damage exceeded 17 million tenge. People not only lost money but also missed long-awaited vacations — hotel bookings, tours, and other prepaid services were also non-refundable," the agency’s press service said.

The court sentenced the woman to three years and six months in prison and ordered her to compensate the victims for their financial losses.

Previously, Astana residents were convicted of organizing illegal migration through the use of counterfeit documents.