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Authorities in Almaty, Kazakhstan, are issuing a stern warning about a surge in fraudulent activities utilizing SMS messages purportedly from the number 1414. These scams are disproportionately affecting elderly citizens, who are often tricked into divulging sensitive information or transferring funds.

Sophisticated Deception Tactics

According to the Almaty City Police Department's Cybercrime Unit, scammers employ psychological pressure and fear to manipulate their victims. After obtaining codes sent via SMS, they impersonate employees from banks, postal services, tax authorities, or law enforcement agencies. Their goal is to coerce individuals into installing specific applications or clicking on malicious links, often claiming that personal data has been compromised or that an immediate money transfer is required.

Expert Insights on Scam Prevention

Anes Kaldybayev, the head of the Cybercrime Unit, emphasized that these SMS-based schemes are purely psychological tricks. "It's impossible to get a loan through an SMS from 1414; banks have their own security systems," Kaldybayev stated, reassuring the public that legitimate financial institutions have robust safeguards in place.

Protecting Yourself and Loved Ones

To combat these scams, Kaldybayev advises a crucial rule: never share personal details, bank card information, or verification codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from a bank or the police. He urges individuals to independently verify any suspicious information and resist psychological manipulation. This warning follows a previous alert from law enforcement regarding potential mass fraud targeting Kazakhstan residents around International Women's Day.

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