Alert: Fraudulent Impersonation of Kantai Securities Limited and Unauthorised Investment Solicitations

The Astana Financial Services Authority (“AFSA”) hereby issues this public alert concerning fraudulent activities involving the unauthorised use of the name Kantai Securities Limited and Kantai Wealth Management Ltd. (the “Company”).

Kantai Securities Limited (BIN 180740900057) is a company registered in the Astana International Financial Centre (“AIFC”) and holds an AFSA licence (No. AFSA-A-LA-2021-0003, dated 9 February 2021) authorising it to carry out the regulated activities of Advising on Investments and Arranging Deals in Investments.

The Company was previously known as Kantai Wealth Management Ltd. and was renamed to Kantai Securities Limited on 30 May 2024.

Current Status of the Company

The AFSA emphasizes that:

• The Company’s licence does not authorise it to:
  • Holding or managing client funds;
  • Opening or operating trading or investment accounts for clients;
  • Providing brokerage services;
  • Conducting foreign exchange transactions;
  • Dealing in or facilitating transactions involving digital assets.

Fraudulent Activity and Impersonation

The AFSA has received information and complaints indicating that certain individuals are representing themselves as representatives of the Company and engaging in fraudulent investment activities.

These activities include:

• Entering into purported “investment agreements” referencing both the former and current names of the Company;
• Soliciting funds from individuals under the guise of investment opportunities;
• Misrepresenting payments as “donations” instead of investments;
• Refusing to return funds and imposing conditions for withdrawals;
• Pressuring individuals to use unregulated platforms, including cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges;
• Applying psychological pressure and manipulative tactics to prevent clients from withdrawing funds.

The AFSA strongly cautions members of the public to:

• Exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited investment offers, particularly those involving digital assets or guaranteed returns;
• Be aware that legitimate AIFC-licensed firms will not pressure clients, request payments to personal accounts, or require the use of unregulated third-party platforms for withdrawals.

Reporting and Further Action

If you have been approached with such offers, or have concerns regarding suspicious investment activities or promotions, you are encouraged to report the matter promptly to the AFSA via email to [email protected].

The AFSA warns the public to exercise utmost caution when dealing with entities claiming to provide financial services on the basis of an AFSA licence, and encourages the public to verify the status of any such entity through the Public Register, which contains information on all entities authorised and/or registered by the AFSA.

Reference:

The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) is the independent regulator of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), established in accordance with the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Astana International Financial Centre” for the purposes of regulating financial services and related activities in the AIFC. AFSA administers the AIFC Regulations and Rules and is responsible for the authorisation, registration, recognition, and supervision of financial firms and market institutions in the AIFC. afsa.kz

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction where investors and businesses meet emerging opportunities of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in a transparent and sustainable environment backed by the principles of English Common Law. aifc.kz

Public Relations and Communications Division of AFSA, [email protected]