A Kazakh man has been sentenced to prison for defrauding parents by promising to organize their children’s trip to an international football tournament in Spain.

Astana’s prosecutor’s office said on October 8, 2026, that the man had offered parents an “all-inclusive” package for young footballers traveling to Spain, Zakon.kz reports.

According to prosecutors, he collected money from the victims under various pretexts, including tournament fees, airline tickets, visa services, child supervision and sports uniforms.

“He failed to fulfill his obligations and used the money at his own discretion,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Nine victims suffered total losses of more than 24 million tenge ($53,675).

The court sentenced the man to three years and two months in prison. The damages were also ordered to be recovered from him.