The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan issued a consumer warning that children face a higher risk of becoming victims of scammers during summer holidays, as fraudsters exploit children’s free time and online activity to gain access to parents’ financial data and funds. The agency highlighted common schemes including fake prize promotions that prompt children to enter card details, fake requests for help impersonating “friends” or “relatives”, malicious apps, and suspicious links. It also cautioned against offers to download games or apps “with discounts” or “without ads”, noting such files may contain malicious code and, where a smartphone is linked to a parent’s bank account, could enable access to confidential information and the withdrawal of funds. The warning also covered geodata collection via “smart” applications that can reveal where a family lives, where parents work, where a child studies, and personal interests, creating risks beyond financial loss. Parents are advised to regularly discuss online risks with children, limit time spent online, use antivirus software and parental control tools, and teach basic digital and financial literacy, including encouraging children to ask for help when in doubt. Additional educational materials are available on Fingramota.kz.

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