Ministry of Internal Affairs warned Kazakh citizens of potential risks
The ministry explained that targeted advertising, a tool for promoting information widely used on social media and online platforms, is also being exploited by internet scammers. These schemes often involve fake investment funds or "legal services" offering to recover money stolen by fraudsters.
Cybercriminals create advertisements using original videos of well-known individuals, legal firms, and lawyers, manipulating them with artificial intelligence to deceive the public.
According to police statistics, over 2,500 citizens invested their money in non-existent funds in 2024. Additionally, people frequently fall victim to secondary scams when seeking help to recover stolen funds, losing even larger sums in the process. For instance, a resident of the Karaganda region lost more than 11 million tenge while attempting to recover 40,000 tenge spent on an online purchase.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs explained how to identify fraudulent advertisements:
Too-good-to-be-true offers: Ads promise easy money and fantastic opportunities for wealth without any risks.
Links lead to suspicious websites: These sites often lack contact information or licenses.
Requests for personal information: Fraudsters demand personal data, such as survey details, card numbers, passport information, or other sensitive details.
Aggressive marketing and pressure: Scammers use phrases like "don’t miss this opportunity" to push you into quick decisions.
Persistent calls from "investment" fund managers: These calls are often insistent and manipulative.
Watch for facial and audio mismatches: Pay attention to the facial expressions of well-known personalities featured in the ads. Incorrect lip-syncing and sound can indicate manipulation.
“Stay vigilant and ignore suspicious offers. Only trust verified sources,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned.