Operatives from the Organized Crime Control Department have determined that the suspects regularly threatened physical violence to extort money from employees of local businesses, porters, or shopkeepers.
For instance, one of the victims, a 24-year-old city resident, was extorted for 80,000 tenge. According to the police, the extortionists forced young individuals to take out cash loans and microloans, as well as confiscated their mobile phones.
"Currently, three victims have been identified. A pre-trial investigation has been initiated regarding the extortion cases. The suspects have been detained and placed in a temporary detention facility. An examination of the suspects' involvement in other incidents is underway," the police stated.
Previously, bloggers were detained in Almaty for extortion.