Scammers do not stand still: their schemes are becoming more sophisticated, and they often use trust, AI, modern technologies and psychological techniques to deceive.

1. Video calls from the courier are a new trap.

Scammers make video calls on WhatsApp or Telegram, posing as a courier. During the call, the attacker records the screen and creates a circle without sound from it. The fraudster then creates a Telegram account and sends messages from it to the victim’s contacts, and sends the recorded circle as confirmation that this is a real person.
Victims’ contacts can be obtained from a huge number of sources, for example, through phishing links or from open sources, from leaked databases, from databases sold on the black market.

2. House residents’ chats are a new field for attacks.

Phishing links are distributed in chats with neighbors under the guise of ads for the free removal of furniture or household appliances. Clicking on such links can lead to the installation of malware that opens access to banking apps.

3. The “lawyers” for the refund of money

On Facebook there are actively promoted advertisements in which they promise to help all Kazakhstanis affected by the actions of financial fraudsters. Attackers use photos of famous people and fragments of TV shows to make them look convincing. In fact, this is an attempt to extort even more money from already deceived users.

4. Threats of pet removal are a new way of pressure.

Scammers call the apartment owner, posing as employees of the housing inspectorate. Under the guise of a routine survey, they find out how many pets live in the apartment. If, according to them, the number of pets “exceeds the permissible norm”, they begin to intimidate: they threaten with fines, complaints from neighbors, and even the removal of animals.

To convince the victim of the seriousness of their intentions, the attackers send a link to the supposedly official “new rules” for keeping pets — with fake symbols and design for the Public Services website. However, clicking on such a link may lead to identity theft.
Most often, the conversation ends with a demand to transfer money urgently, ostensibly to obtain a permit or “resolve the issue without consequences”.

How to protect yourself and your loved ones? Do not follow links from strangers, even if:

– A message came from someone you know.
– Do not accept video calls from unknown numbers.
– Turn on your privacy settings and limit calls to contacts only.
– Do not believe the offers of a quick refund of stolen funds.
– Always double-check information through official sources.

At the slightest suspicion, immediately inform the police and the bank.

Remember: your attentiveness is the best protection against fraud.
Share this information with your loved ones, especially with elderly relatives who are more likely to be at risk.