Kazakhstan Seeks Uzbek Blogger in International Search

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Kazakhstan’s Agency for Financial Monitoring has placed Uzbek citizen Makhmud Khikmatov, known on social media as Maha.dxb, on an international wanted list. A court has ordered his detention, the agency said.

Khikmatov is suspected of promoting illegal online casinos, including SultanGames, PINCO, Nomadcasino, Pin-Up and Vavada.

According to the agency, a scheme operated in Kazakhstan involving illegal access to online casino interfaces, the acceptance and payment of funds using acquiring services, mobile commerce and cryptocurrency, as well as advertising to attract players.

The agency alleges that Khikmatov was recruited by the organizers to promote online casinos and was involved in recruiting influencers operating in Kazakhstan to publish advertising content.

According to the agency, he requested social media statistics from bloggers, including demographic and geographic data on their audiences and reach figures. The cost of advertising services was determined based on these indicators.

In total, according to the agency, Khikmatov recruited more than 35 bloggers. Among them was Kazakh blogger Kaysar Kamza.

The agency alleges that Kamza posted referral links to online casinos and received payments for user clicks, thereby involving Kazakh citizens in prohibited gambling activities.

Kamza was extradited from Vietnam to Kazakhstan on 6 August 2026, the agency said.

The Agency for Financial Monitoring called on citizens to provide any information about Khikmatov’s possible whereabouts. The agency said informants would be guaranteed anonymity and a reward.