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Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) has reported the dismantling of a cyber fraud scheme involving counterfeit cellular base stations. According to the agency, this is the first such case identified in the post-Soviet region. Authorities say the criminal group used the equipment to intercept data on a large scale and send phishing messages.
According to the AFM, the attackers used a special device, a so-called SMS blaster that imitated the operation of mobile operator base stations.
The device generated a strong signal within a radius of up to 300 meters, causing mobile phones to connect to it automatically and switch to a less secure network. This allowed the attackers to bypass operators’ security mechanisms.
After connecting, subscribers received fake SMS messages purportedly sent on behalf of well-known companies, offering the chance to redeem accumulated bonuses. Clicking the link led to phishing websites, where users were prompted to select products and then enter personal information, including phone number, full name, bank details, CVV code, and SMS confirmation codes. This enabled the attackers to access confidential information and funds.
According to the agency, the equipment was placed in vehicles and used while in motion to expand coverage and avoid detection.
The messages were sent primarily in crowded areas, such as markets and near shopping and entertainment centers. The devices’ technical capabilities allowed them to send up to 100,000 messages per hour, significantly increasing the potential scale of the fraud.
The operation to disrupt the group’s activities was carried out by the AFM under the coordination of the Prosecutor General’s Office, with the participation of cybersecurity specialists from a mobile operator.
The uncovered scheme comes amid a broader rise in telephone and internet fraud in Kazakhstan. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, nearly 85 million fraudulent calls were blocked in the country in 2025. At the same time, authorities are introducing additional regulatory measures, including mandatory biometric identification for mobile subscribers, aimed at strengthening efforts to combat digital crime.
Dmitry Pokidaev
Dmitry Pokidaev is a journalist based in Astana, Kazakhstan, with experience at some of the country’s top media outlets. Before his career in journalism, Pokidaev worked as an academic, teaching Russian language and literature.
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