Kazakh woman loses 7 million tenge after Instagram ad

Tengrinews.kz – The Prosecutor General’s Office is warning citizens about a widespread fraud scheme. Scammers offer people the chance to invest in various non-existent projects, using deepfake videos with celebrities to promote them, citing the agency.
To attract potential victims, criminals use popular social networks, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other online platforms, where they create deepfake videos with celebrities and fake AI platforms promising extremely high passive income.

“For example, Kaspi AI with Mikhail Lomtadze, Quantum AI with Elon Musk, TON with Pavel Durov, people’s investments in KazMunayGas or Gazprom with well-known news anchors from Khabar 24, KTK or Channel One,” the oversight body said.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, 119 such cases have been registered across the country in just the past month and a half.
One of the victims of the scammers was a resident of Taldykorgan. While scrolling through Instagram, the woman came across an advertisement offering super profits through buying and selling shares. After following the link, the victim submitted an application, providing her personal and contact details.

“Later, the woman was contacted by scammers and, following their instructions, transferred more than 7 million tenge to the accounts of three individuals. The money she transferred and the alleged dividends were displayed in a fake wallet, but the scammers did not allow her to cash them out. A pre-trial investigation is underway into this case,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

To avoid becoming victims of fraud, Kazakhstanis are urged to remain vigilant, not to trust offers of guaranteed high returns and not to transfer money to strangers under the pretext of investment. Before investing money, people should independently verify information about the company and the proposed investment project. If suspicious messages or calls are received, they should stop communicating with strangers and not disclose bank card details, SMS codes or any other information that could allow access to their money.