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Kazakhstan’s pro-presidential Adilet party says fake online accounts are unlawfully using its name to mislead citizens with offers of party membership cards as it prepares to merge with the ruling Amanat party. On June 12, Astana hosted Amanat’s 26th congress, where delegates voted in favor of the merger. For Adilet, joining Amanat would provide access to the ruling party’s nationwide branch network and large membership base. For Amanat, the merger is expected to help the party move beyond a political brand still closely associated with former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Adilet, whose name translates as “Justice,” held its founding congress on May 7 and was officially registered by Kazakhstan’s Justice Ministry on June 1. Earlier this week, the party held its second congress, where delegates formally approved the merger with Amanat. Adilet has since reported a rise in fraudulent activity. According to the party, fake social media accounts and pages have appeared online, illegally using its name and posing as official representatives. “These resources are spreading false information about issuing party cards, registering members, and the party’s activities in general,” Adilet said in an official statement published on its website. “We officially declare that these accounts have no connection to the Adilet party. Any information distributed through them is false.” The party urged citizens to rely only on its official social media and website channels. It warned that the unauthorized use of the party’s name and symbols, as well as the dissemination of false information, may lead to legal liability under Kazakh law. Adilet said materials related to the fake accounts had been handed over to law enforcement authorities for further action. “We ask citizens not to share personal data with unknown individuals and to use only the party’s official communication channels,” the statement said.
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.
