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In the city of Pavlodar, a significant operation led by the CyberPol department, code-named "Counterfeit," has resulted in the arrest of two residents of Pavlodar Oblast. The operation was initiated following a phone scam that targeted a Bulgarian citizen, with the total damage amounting to over 102 million tenge.
The investigation has revealed that the so-called "safe accounts" belonged to straw men, or "mules." Scammers posing as bank employees convinced the victim to transfer a large sum to these accounts. The police department of Akmolinsk Oblast took over the case after the victim reported it.
The ongoing investigation does not rule out the possibility of other victims. During searches, police seized mobile phones, bank cards, and a portion of the stolen funds. Four other participants in the criminal scheme were identified, whose roles are currently being clarified. All suspects have been placed in temporary detention.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that combating digital crimes is a top priority in their work. They issued a reminder to citizens, particularly the elderly and foreigners, to remain extremely vigilant and avoid falling for the tricks of phone and internet scammers.
Phone scams targeting foreigners are known to occur in Kazakhstan, often involving fraud attempts such as scams related to migration, visa, and financial matters. Precautions to avoid becoming a victim include verifying the caller’s identity, not providing personal or financial information over the phone, being aware of spoofing tactics, avoiding making immediate payments or transfers based on phone calls without confirming the situation through official channels, and reporting suspicious calls immediately to local authorities or your embassy.
Foreigners in Kazakhstan also face strict migration controls and enforcement, which may be exploited by scammers posing as law enforcement or migration officials to extract money or information. Vigilance, independent verification, and cautious handling of unsolicited calls are key to avoiding phone scams targeting foreigners in Kazakhstan.
While exact statistics specific to phone scams targeting foreigners in Kazakhstan are not explicitly given, general fraud cases, including online and phone scams, remain a concern. With online fraud reportedly surging by 25% in early 2025, it is crucial for everyone to stay vigilant and protect themselves from potential scams.
- Enhancing the city's cybersecurity measures, especially in the face of increasing general-news stories about phone scams, becomes imperative, considering that technology has made it easier for criminals to commit crime-and-justice related activities, such as the phone scam in Pavlodar.
- The ongoing police operation, Counterfeit, serves as a grim reminder for foreigners residing in Kazakhstan to exercise vigilance, particularly when dealing with financial matters, as phone scams specifically targeting them have been reported in the country's technology-driven society.
