Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market published a consumer alert warning that messaging apps have become a common channel for online fraud, with criminals seeking to gain access to accounts and steal money or personal data. The notice highlights frequent tactics including impersonation of bank staff, government officials, relatives or acquaintances, phishing links, “easy income” offers, malicious files and fake chats designed to capture confidential information. The Agency advised users not to send money as a “guarantee” for online jobs, goods or services, and not to open suspicious links even if they appear to come from a known contact. It also recommended checking the list of devices connected to the messenger account and regularly logging out of additional sessions and third-party devices, using two-factor authentication and strong passwords, and never sharing SMS codes or passwords. The alert also urges people to explain to relatives, particularly older family members, that government bodies do not request money transfers or “identity confirmation” via messengers, and to contact the police immediately if they become a victim of fraud.

Original source View in tracker