In the city of Odesa, the activities of an organised call centre, which according to law enforcement agencies was carrying out illegal activities against citizens of Kazakhstan, have been shut down. During an international special operation, nine people were detained, and investigators are checking their possible involvement in other cases of internet fraud.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to Polisia.kz, the operation was carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MIA of the RK) jointly with the National Police of Ukraine in cooperation with the prosecutor generals' offices of both countries.
As stated by the head of the department for combating cybercrime of the MIA of the RK, Zhandos Suiynbay, the activities of the organised call centre were shut down in Odesa. According to preliminary data, more than 120 people fell victim to the illegal scheme, and the total material damage exceeded 85 million tenge.
HOW THE GROUP OPERATED
Group members used social engineering techniques. They posed as employees of telecom operators, banks, law enforcement agencies, and government bodies.
Citizens were persuaded to install malicious applications on their smartphones. After gaining remote access to the devices, the criminals gained access to the victims' funds and personal data.
WHAT EVIDENCE WAS SEIZED
As part of the special operation, law enforcement agencies conducted eight authorised searches.
According to the MIA of the RK, the following items were seized during the investigative actions:
- two luxury cars;
- 26 computers;
- 49 mobile devices;
- materials containing instructions and scripts for psychological manipulation;
- symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK).
WHO WAS DETAINED
Following the operation, nine Ukrainian citizens were detained and placed in a temporary detention facility.
Investigators are checking their involvement in other cases of internet fraud against citizens of the RK and other countries.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
The MIA of the RK noted that the operation was the result of international cooperation in the field of combating transnational cybercrime.
The department also reminded citizens about digital security measures. According to Zhandos Suiynbay, bank employees and law enforcement officers do not ask you to take out loans, transfer money to so-called "safe accounts", install third-party applications, or provide confirmation codes, passwords, or access to devices to unauthorised persons.