In Taldykorgan, concerned bystanders noticed a woman near ATMs who was on a video call with a scammer and following his instructions. The incident was captured on published footage, reports infohub.kz.
In the recording, a person claiming to be the Taldykorgan woman's son gave instructions on transferring money. Witnesses addressed the woman: "You're about to send money to scammers. First call your son on a regular call, find out if it's him or not. Hang up the phone."
In response, the interlocutor asked what was on the "mother's" screen and continued instructing her on transferring funds. Noticing another person next to the woman, he said: "Who are you? Why are you reaching for the phone, idiot? Mom, what's happening there?"
The bystanders insisted that the interlocutor show his face via video call. The woman in the conversation noted that she was being convinced it was a scam. "What scammer, mom? Hello!" the person protested. "There are men standing here, they won't let me do anything," the woman replied. "Do you want me to come shake your hand? Who are you? Why did you take mom's phone? Hello!" the "son" asked. "I'm going to the police department with your mother right now," the concerned bystander replied.
According to the woman, she had already transferred 3 million tenge to the "son".
The police department of the Zhetisu region told a NUR.KZ correspondent that a criminal case has been opened into fraud based on the complaint from the Taldykorgan resident. Necessary investigative actions are currently underway.
Police urged citizens not to follow instructions from unknown individuals over the phone and not to transfer money to so-called "safe accounts". "If you receive suspicious calls, you must immediately contact 102," the department's press service said.