The digital revolution has transformed the way business is conducted, opening the door to global growth — but it has also increased companies’ vulnerability to payment fraud.
According to data from the First Credit Bureau, 6,200 cases of online fraud were recorded in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of 2025, which is a 23% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Over the past seven years, the number of such crimes has grown tenfold.
In 2023, Kaspersky Lab registered 288,780 attacks on mobile device users in Kazakhstan. The most common threats included fake investment apps such as Fakemoney, as well as ransomware embedded in modified versions of popular messaging apps.
In this article, we’ll explore the current trends in cyber fraud in Kazakhstan, analyze the most widespread schemes, and offer recommendations for protection.
According to data from the First Credit Bureau, 6,200 cases of online fraud were recorded in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of 2025, which is a 23% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Over the past seven years, the number of such crimes has grown tenfold.
In 2023, Kaspersky Lab registered 288,780 attacks on mobile device users in Kazakhstan. The most common threats included fake investment apps such as Fakemoney, as well as ransomware embedded in modified versions of popular messaging apps.
In this article, we’ll explore the current trends in cyber fraud in Kazakhstan, analyze the most widespread schemes, and offer recommendations for protection.
Main types of payment fraud
1. Phishing and Social Engineering
Fraudsters often impersonate bank or law enforcement employees, convincing victims to share personal information or install malware. They exploit timely events, such as major sports tournaments or holidays, to increase trust in their messages.
2. Phone Scams
Scammers use machine learning technologies to clone the voices of loved ones in order to extract money or personal information.
3. Malicious Apps
Fraudsters distribute fake applications disguised as official programs, gaining access to users’ personal data. Some of these apps even make it into official app stores, making them especially dangerous.
4. Skimming
A physical device is placed on an ATM or POS terminal to read card data. Fraudsters then use this information to clone the card.
5. Chargeback Fraud
A customer receives a product but then disputes the payment, falsely claiming they didn’t make the purchase.
6. Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud
This occurs during online or phone transactions where the physical card is not required to complete the payment.
Fraudsters often impersonate bank or law enforcement employees, convincing victims to share personal information or install malware. They exploit timely events, such as major sports tournaments or holidays, to increase trust in their messages.
2. Phone Scams
Scammers use machine learning technologies to clone the voices of loved ones in order to extract money or personal information.
3. Malicious Apps
Fraudsters distribute fake applications disguised as official programs, gaining access to users’ personal data. Some of these apps even make it into official app stores, making them especially dangerous.
4. Skimming
A physical device is placed on an ATM or POS terminal to read card data. Fraudsters then use this information to clone the card.
5. Chargeback Fraud
A customer receives a product but then disputes the payment, falsely claiming they didn’t make the purchase.
6. Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud
This occurs during online or phone transactions where the physical card is not required to complete the payment.
How to Prevent and Detect Payment Fraud
Preventing payment fraud requires a comprehensive approach that integrates technology, processes, and employee education.
All of these measures should be supported by compliance with PCI DSS security standards and regular infrastructure audits.
At Processing.kz, we provide expert assistance in designing and implementing fraud prevention strategies. We work closely with our clients to build secure online payment systems and help them adapt to ever-evolving e-commerce risks.
- Phishing Protection: Regular staff training and the use of multi-factor authentication are key to defending against phishing attempts.
- Skimming Countermeasures: Frequently inspect payment equipment and migrate to more secure payment methods such as chip-enabled and contactless cards.
- Identity Theft Protection: Encrypt personal data, implement access controls, use automatic activity logging, and require customer verification.
- Chargeback Fraud Prevention: Keep clear proof of order fulfillment, establish a transparent return policy, and monitor for suspicious behavior.
- Online Payment Security: Use CVV verification, 3D Secure 2.0, tokenization, behavioral analytics, and real-time transaction monitoring.
All of these measures should be supported by compliance with PCI DSS security standards and regular infrastructure audits.
At Processing.kz, we provide expert assistance in designing and implementing fraud prevention strategies. We work closely with our clients to build secure online payment systems and help them adapt to ever-evolving e-commerce risks.