A woman in the Akmola Region was left facing a major financial problem after losing her mobile phone: a 2.65 million tenge loan had been taken out in her name. Investigators found that the woman's former partner was behind the scheme, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to information circulated by Polisia.kz, a 23-year-old resident of Astana learned that a loan of 2,650,000 tenge had been issued in her name. Her former partner is suspected of the crime. In the Akmola Region, a 33-year-old man is suspected of stealing the phone and taking out the loan in his former partner's name. According to investigators, he used the banking app on the stolen device.
As reported on the information media portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the woman's former partner stole her phone in October of this year and then used the banking app to take out a loan of 2,650,000 tenge in her name. The woman only later learned of the debt. On November 5 she turned to the police for help.
A criminal case has been opened over the theft.
"During operational search measures, police established the identity and whereabouts of the suspect. The same day, the 33-year-old man was taken to the police station, where he gave a confession," the statement said.
In light of the incident, police are urging citizens to take personal data protection and financial security seriously. Do not hand your phones, passwords, PIN codes or banking app login details to others, even if they are relatives or acquaintances. Set a strong screen lock and do not keep banking service passwords in the open. If your phone is lost or stolen, immediately block the SIM card and access to banking apps, and report the incident to the police and your bank.