Kazakhstan Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
A guide to scams in Kazakhstan, from Almaty tourist fraud to online investment and telephone scams.
Emergency number: 102 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Kazakhstan is Central Asia's largest economy and a growing destination for business travellers and tourists visiting Almaty and Astana. While the country has modern infrastructure in its major cities, fraud risks include sophisticated telephone scams, online investment fraud and taxi overcharging. Kazakhstan has invested heavily in digital fraud prevention — in 2025 alone it blocked nearly 85 million fraudulent phone calls — and operates an integrated online reporting system via egov.kz and the SOS 102 platform.
Common scams
- Telephone impersonation fraud by callers posing as bank staff or police officers
- Online investment and crypto fraud promoted through social media
- Fake job offers requiring advance payment for documents or training
- SIM-swap fraud targeting mobile banking users
Tourist-specific scams
- Taxi overcharging at Almaty and Astana airports
- Unofficial currency exchange kiosks offering inflated rates
- Counterfeit tickets for events and transport
- Pickpocketing at Almaty's Arbat pedestrian street and Green Bazaar
Online shopping scams
- Phishing impersonating Halyk Bank, Kaspi Bank and government services
- Fake e-commerce listings on Kazakh marketplaces not delivering goods
- Investment fraud platforms using Astana International Financial Centre branding
Job scams
- Overseas job offers requiring upfront visa and processing fees
- Task scams on Telegram and WhatsApp promising easy online income
Romance scams
- Extended online relationships leading to requests for money transfers
- Pig-butchering scams combining romance with fake investment platforms
Investment scams
- Fraudulent Forex and crypto platforms falsely claiming AIFC registration
- Pyramid schemes spread through community and social networks
How to report a scam here
- Call 102 (police) or 112 (emergency) to report fraud
- File an online report via the eGov portal at egov.kz or through the Qamqor system
- Contact your bank immediately — Kaspi Bank and Halyk Bank both have 24/7 fraud lines
- Preserve all evidence including call recordings, screenshots and transaction receipts
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately to freeze accounts. Kazakhstan banks including Kaspi and Halyk offer in-app fraud reporting. Obtain a police case number from egov.kz to support your formal bank dispute.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
How does Kazakhstan fight phone fraud?
Kazakhstan operates a national call-filtering system that blocked nearly 85 million fraudulent calls in 2025. Despite this, telephone impersonation fraud remains the most common scam. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank or the police and asks for a code, PIN or transfer — hang up and call the official number on your card or statement.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance