Astana battles AI-powered fraud surge with 1,537 cases in 2024

Online fraud has surged in Astana, with 1,537 cases recorded since the start of 2024. Scammers are now using advanced tools like artificial intelligence to carry out more convincing attacks. Authorities have taken action, blocking thousands of suspicious accounts and recovering millions in stolen funds. The ANTIFRAUD system has already blocked 19,600 accounts in the capital that could have been used for criminal schemes. These measures aim to prevent further financial harm to residents. Despite this, losses from online fraud in Astana have reached 907 million tenge so far this year.

One high-profile case involved a victim losing 22.6 million tenge after scammers impersonated officials on WhatsApp. A Russian citizen has since been detained in connection with this scam. Investigations have led to 30.2% of reported fraud cases being solved and sent to court.

To combat such crimes, experts recommend stronger security measures. Hardware security keys and passkey technology can make accounts harder to breach. Families are also advised to agree on a code word to verify identities and prevent impersonation. Authorities have recovered 229 million tenge for victims of online fraud in Astana. The detained suspect and blocked accounts show steps are being taken to curb the problem. However, residents are urged to stay vigilant and use available security tools to protect themselves.