Kazakhstan has recorded cases of criminals sending fake official letters to government agencies while posing as the Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM). The agency itself warned about the new scam, according to infohub.kz.
According to the Financial Monitoring Agency, in such letters addressed to a government body, the criminals cite an alleged inspection and request information about a citizen, including a character reference and other details.
"Previously, scammers used a similar scheme: after sending fake letters, they contacted citizens by phone or via messengers, introduced themselves as AFM employees and, under various pretexts, tried to obtain personal and banking data or extorted money," the agency said.
The AFM recalled that the agency's official letters are sent exclusively in accordance with established procedure. Agency employees do not demand bank account details over the phone or ask people to transfer money. Documents should not be trusted merely because they bear a logo, seal or signature, and anyone receiving a suspicious letter should verify its authenticity through the agency's official channels.
"Do not hand over personal or banking data to unknown individuals and do not transfer money on their instructions," the agency urged Kazakhstanis.
Anyone with doubts is asked to contact the AFM Call Center at 1458 or the Duty Unit at +7 (7172) 70-84-79.