"Stay on the line!"

Criminals subtly influence their conversation partners through psychological means, according to a police reminder.

, and Administrator

2025 September 16 . 4:44 PM

2 min read

"Stay on the line!"

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has issued a stern warning against telephone scammers who are targeting citizens, particularly with regards to financial information and online banking.

In a recent development, a suspect in a fraud case worth 126 million tenge has been extradited from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan. This extradition underscores the seriousness of the issue and the need for increased vigilance.

The scammers are known to instill a sense of urgency and threat, often claiming to be investigators or officers from the MVD/KNB (F.I.O.). They use various tactics to gain access to personal information, such as codes, CVV, PIN, card data, or even bank account details. Under the guise of protection, they may ask victims to transfer money to a 'protected' bank account.

Scammers also employ emotional blackmail and time pressure, suggesting that a relative has encountered trouble (accident, police, hospital) and urging victims to transfer money immediately. They create panic by claiming an attempt has been made to withdraw money from an account, and to stop the operation, they ask for the code from the SMS.

To isolate victims and prevent them from seeking advice, scammers often say, "Do not tell anyone about this call - a secret operation is underway." Some scammers even steal SIM cards and access online banking by posing as employees of the mobile operator's security service, asking for a code to be provided.

In an effort to help citizens identify these scams, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has identified the top 10 phrases used by telephone scammers. It is crucial for citizens to remember that real police, bank, or operator employees never ask for money or codes over the phone.

Moreover, a deputy in Kazakhstan has demanded an investigation into reports of fixed football matches, further emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in all sectors.

The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls or activities to the authorities. By working together, we can protect ourselves and our community from these scammers.