Tax officials in Almaty region to pay over 100 million for two iPhones

Several tax officials in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan have been handed significant fines after being convicted of demanding a bribe from an individual entrepreneur. The case came to light during a routine desk audit where an entrepreneur was found to have understated income.

Tax officials initially issued a notice to rectify the violations and demanded 5 million tenge (approximately $11,000 USD) from the businessman. They promised to unblock his accounts and withdraw the notice in exchange for the payment. However, the demand was later altered through an intermediary, with officials agreeing to accept two iPhone 17 Pro smartphones, valued at 1.5 million tenge ($3,300 USD), instead of the cash.

Following the receipt of the smartphones, the tax officials falsely declared the notice fulfilled. The guilt of the accused was fully established through criminal case materials and their own confessions. The court considered their sincere repentance and the fact they have minor children as mitigating factors when imposing sentences.

The department head was fined 52 million tenge ($115,000 USD), the division head received a 52.5 million tenge ($116,000 USD) fine, and the intermediary was fined 15 million tenge ($33,000 USD). All convicted individuals are permanently barred from holding positions in civil service, local government, the National Bank, and quasi-public sector entities. The iPhones were confiscated as evidence, and compulsory payments were made to the Victim Compensation Fund. The verdict is legally binding.