Police in North Kazakhstan Region have identified around 50 fake adverts in Petropavl over three days, which scammers posted during the flood period.
According to Ratel.kz, when the disaster hit Petropavl, groups were created in the WhatsApp messenger where people discuss the flood situation, share experiences, organise help for victims, and so on.
Taking advantage of the situation, scammers send messages asking for help into the chats.
"Many have seen adverts about people affected by the flood, with a bank card number and a request for help. Officers from the cybercrime unit are checking such adverts: are the people named in them real, do the accounts suggested for money transfers actually belong to them?
Over three days, around 50 fake adverts were found in six mass chats – approximately every third request for help was actually posted by scammers. The adverts have been removed, and the numbers of their authors have been blocked in the chats," said Ivan Terzidi, head of the criminal police department of the North Kazakhstan Region police department.
At the same time, police are asking citizens to verify the accuracy of any information of this kind.
It is reported that residents of North Kazakhstan Region can send suspicious adverts and links to a criminal police officer on WhatsApp at +7 747 429 0203 for verification.