Alert: Unauthorised Use of the AFSA Name and Impersonation of AIFC-licenced Participant
The Astana Financial Services Authority (“AFSA”) wishes to alert members of the financial services community about the unauthorised use by the project ‘Ya Sobral’ (Я Собрал) of AFSA’s name and the impersonation of a legitimately registered and licensed firm.
The website https://ya-sobral.com/ falsely claims to be regulated by AFSA. Additionally, a firm incorporated within the Astana International Financial Centre and regulated by AFSA – InvestRoom Ltd (Licence AFSA-G-LA-2022-0005 authorising to carry on the Market Activity of Operating a Loan Crowdfunding Platform) – has been impersonated through the use of the name “Investroom Ltd” in the Investor Agreement and Loan Agreement published on the website.
We would like to inform you that no entity under the name of ‘Ya Sobral’ or a similar name is, or has ever been, registered in the AIFC or licensed by the AFSA. Therefore, the activities of “Ya Sobral” display characteristics of criminal offenses, potentially falling under Fraud (Article 190) and Illegal Business Activity (Article 214) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
AFSA urges the public to consult its Public Register, which provides up-to-date information about entities registered in the AIFC and firms authorised by AFSA. Verifying a firm’s authorisation before using any financial services or products is essential to ensuring your security and compliance.
AFSA strongly advises against engaging with individuals claiming to represent this project, and under no circumstances should you enter any contractual relationships with, or transfer funds to, any parties associated with it.
If you have any concerns about the authenticity of any correspondence or suspect that you have been contacted by someone involved in a scam, we suggest that you address your concerns directly to AFSA. You can do this by using the online form available on our website.
Reference:
The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) is the independent regulator of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which is 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.
Over 3,700 firms from 85 countries are registered in the AIFC. These firms provide banking, insurance, investment, professional and other services. The range of financial services offered at the AIFC is comparable to the list of services available in long-established financial centers of the world, such as London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and others. www.afsa.kz
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction with a favourable legal and regulatory environment and a developed infrastructure for starting and doing business, attracting investment, creating jobs and developing Kazakhstan’s economy. https://aifc.kz/
Contact information:
Public Relations and Communications Division of AFSA: +7 (717) 264 73 43; +7 7172 61-37-45 email: [email protected]
