In Kazakhstan, cases have become more frequent where bank card holders are offered to "rent out" their cards for a reward. However, such deals can lead to criminal liability, reports infohub.kz.
The State Revenue Department of the Mangystau Region has warned Kazakh citizens and tourists about the dangers of handing over bank cards to third parties. According to the department, foreigners entering Kazakhstan for the first time obtain an IIN and cards, then rent them out to fraudsters for illegal financial operations. Transferring bank instruments to third parties carries criminal liability under Article 232-1 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, even if the cardholder was unaware of the criminal intent.
Kazakhstan attracts many tourists who also seek to obtain an IIN and open a bank card for purchases and other financial transactions. The number of cards issued to the population is also growing – for example, Kazakhs get them upon reaching adulthood. However, both tourists and citizens can fall victim to scammers who lure them with promises of easy money for what seems like a simple task – providing access to their bank cards. This is often explained by the lack of accounts for transfers, salary payments, and so on.
As the State Revenue Department of the Mangystau Region reports, transferring bank cards, accounts, and other payment instruments to outsiders can have serious consequences for their holders.
"We have identified cases where foreign citizens entering Kazakhstan for the first time obtain an IIN, open bank accounts and cards, and then transfer or rent them out to third parties. These instruments are used for internet fraud and other illegal financial operations. Analysis shows that it is precisely those arriving in the country for the first time who most often become the source of transferred bank details," the department notes.
The State Revenue Department of the Mangystau Region warns that transferring bank cards, accounts, payment instruments, and identification means to third parties is prohibited. Such actions carry criminal liability under Article 232-1 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan. Even if Kazakh citizens or foreign nationals were unaware of this, it does not exempt them from responsibility – they could become accomplices to fraud.
To reduce risks, informational and preventive work is organized at customs checkpoints across the state border: foreigners entering Kazakhstan for the first time are informed about the inadmissibility of transferring bank instruments and the consequences of breaking the law.
Therefore, the department urges citizens and guests of the region: never give bank cards, accounts, or mobile banking login credentials to third parties; do not agree to "rent out" an account or card even for a reward; if you receive suspicious offers, immediately contact law enforcement or your bank's hotline.
"Following these simple rules will protect you from criminal liability and help prevent financial crimes," the State Revenue Department notes.