Unknown individuals are calling Telegram users, posing as the former chairman of the Ak Zhol party, Azat Peruashev, and circulating fake materials using images created by artificial intelligence (AI). The politician urged people to block suspicious accounts.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE FAKE CALLS
Azat Peruashev reported in his Telegram channel about another wave of fake materials connected to him and the Ak Zhol party.
According to the politician, unknown individuals are not only creating fake social media pages but also calling via Telegram using a voice similar to his. Peruashev suggested that the voice could have been generated or faked using AI.
SIMILAR CALLS WERE RECEIVED BY JOURNALISTS
Earlier, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz" reported that journalists in Kazakhstan had begun receiving calls on Telegram from accounts impersonating well-known journalists and media newsrooms. Among the names used were "KazTAG Newsroom", Dinara Yegeubayeva, Vadim Boreiko and Amir Kasenov.
After answering, a pre-recorded audio message is played. It may ask for financial assistance, suggest transferring money or cryptocurrency, or invite people to supposedly closed communities with access to private content.
HOW TO VERIFY A CALL AND PRESERVE EVIDENCE
"Adil Soz" recommends not transferring money, not sharing personal data or verification codes, and not following links from suspicious messages. The caller's identity should be verified through another communication channel — for example, by contacting the journalist or newsroom via a known number or through an official account.
The foundation also advises recording the account details, including the username and identifier, saving screenshots of payment details and crypto wallets, and recording the conversation on another device. The foundation's lawyer, Sergey Utkin, recommends turning on speakerphone and recording the call as audio or video.
A suspicious account can be reported on Telegram. A possible offence can be reported via eOtinish or by calling 102, attaching any available evidence.
CONTEXT
Earlier, Azat Peruashev stated that unknown individuals were circulating fake material about him through websites copying the design of the publication Exclusive.kz. The newsroom confirmed the existence of at least three such resources and stated that it had not published the material.
Later it became known that unknown individuals had also attacked the social media accounts of the Ak Zhol party. On 24 September, Azat Peruashev's WhatsApp account was also blocked.
Publications accusing Azat Peruashev appeared on a fake Telegram channel of the publication NEGE as well. The clone almost completely copies the design of the original, including its posts and subscriber count.
On 28 September 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) opened a criminal case into the dissemination of knowingly false information. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov said that investigators are examining billing data, identifying the owners of clone websites and have ordered several forensic examinations.
