Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs has warned the public about the dangers of registering SIM cards in other people's names, infohub.kz reports.
The ministry's official media portal published a warning about offers of easy money tied to registering SIM cards and setting up WhatsApp accounts for other people.
According to the ministry, criminals may approach teenagers and young people, asking them to buy SIM cards, register them in their own names, create WhatsApp accounts and hand over verification codes and login details.
"They promise a cash reward for this. However, such numbers and accounts may later be used for criminal purposes: to defraud citizens, steal money, spread malicious links and create fake profiles. At the same time, the responsibility and possible legal consequences may also affect those in whose names the SIM cards and accounts are registered, since their data may appear in unlawful schemes," the statement said.
The ministry urged people not to accept such offers, not to register SIM cards for strangers and not to pass verification codes or access to their messengers to third parties.
Parents should pay particular attention to this: it is important to explain to teenagers that a promise of easy money may be a way of drawing them into unlawful activity.