In the first five months of this year, 845 cases of internet fraud were registered in the Karaganda region, with total damages of nearly 1.8 billion tenge. In response to this threat, regional authorities have launched a large-scale ten-day campaign “Law and Order”, aimed at protecting the financial security of citizens.
The scale of the problem became evident in the case of a Karaganda resident, Gyulag Rzayev, who nearly fell victim to fraudsters while trying to replace a water meter.
“I left a request with the water utility, and within a couple of hours I received a call. They told me that to book a time slot I needed to dictate a code. So I did that… Only later did I realise I’d been caught out. Luckily, I happened to meet police officers on the street who were handing out leaflets about fraud. I told them what happened, and they saved me,” shared Gyulag Rzayev.
Rzayev’s case demonstrates a typical scheme used by cybercriminals, who exploit citizens’ trust in government services. According to police data, Kazakhstanis most often fall for scams posing as “bank employees”, “lucrative investments”, or when paying for goods via fake advertisements.
Statistics show that fraudsters do not select victims based on social status. Among those affected are not only pensioners and the unemployed, but also teachers, medical workers, students, and entrepreneurs. This diversity indicates that scammers adapt their schemes to different segments of the population.
To combat this growing threat, the ten-day campaign “Law and Order” has been launched in the region. On the first day of the event, titled “Financial Security”, 1,000 police officers took to the streets. They stopped 500 buses, spoke with passengers, and distributed informational materials. The campaign was personally led by the First Deputy Head of the Police Department of the Karaganda region, Abil Abildin.
Preventative work is being carried out systematically. Since the beginning of the year, 627 websites have been blocked, over 150,000 leaflets distributed, and 827 meetings held with the public. 405 videos and 943 publications in the media have been created. Warning materials are even being broadcast in cinemas and on public transport.
The leaflets and brochures, which can be seen in all districts of the region, were printed with the support of the regional akimat. This demonstrates the serious attitude of regional authorities towards the issue of cybersecurity.
The police remind everyone of the basic safety rules: do not share confirmation codes with strangers, do not click on suspicious links, and do not transfer money to unknown individuals. If you have any suspicions, you should immediately seek help from law enforcement agencies.
The experience of Gyulag Rzayev shows that timely contact with the police can prevent financial losses. He was saved by a chance encounter with law enforcement officers who were carrying out preventative work on the city’s streets.
The situation in the Karaganda region reflects a nationwide trend of rising cybercrime. Success in combating this phenomenon depends not only on the actions of law enforcement agencies, but also on the financial literacy of citizens, their ability to recognise fraudulent schemes, and their willingness to seek help in a timely manner.