Cyberpolice Warn of New Fraudulent Scheme on Threads

The Cybercrime Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has urged Kazakhstanis to exercise maximum caution during online dating. Recently, there has been a surge in scammers on social media, particularly on the Threads platform, who distribute fake "seeking a relationship" advertisements. According to law enforcement officials, a pleasant online acquaintance can ultimately lead the victim to significant financial loss.

The fraudulent scheme unfolds in several stages: first, the perpetrators communicate using attractive personas to gain trust and establish an emotional connection. Later, they transition to asking for money, citing a "difficult situation," illness, or "lucrative investment opportunities." Funds are most often transferred via foreign crypto-wallets or through third parties; once the money is received, the scammers cut off all contact and block the user.

Police warn that you should be vigilant if an acquaintance avoids video calls, uses someone else's photos, or asks for money urgently. Kazakhstanis are advised not to provide personal data, not to follow suspicious links, and not to transfer funds to strangers. In case of any doubt, it is best to terminate the conversation immediately.