In Kazakhstan, 913 people were brought to criminal responsibility for cyber fraud in the first two months of 2026, according to the General Prosecutor’s Office.
During this period, the number of online fraud cases decreased by 8.3%, from 4,385 to 4,023.
At the same time, the clearance rate significantly improved — from 36.5% to 66%. This means authorities are now able to identify and prosecute a much larger share of those involved in fraud schemes.
The amount of recovered funds has also increased. Victims were reimbursed 1.9 billion tenge out of a total ущерб of 3.4 billion tenge, meaning more than half of the stolen money has been returned.
Who are “droppers” and why it matters
Law enforcement is paying special attention to so-called “droppers.”
A dropper is a person who gives fraudsters access to their bank account, card, or online banking. This can happen for a small payment or without fully understanding the consequences.
These accounts are then used to transfer and cash out stolen money. Even if a person is not directly involved in the fraud itself, they are still considered part of the scheme under the law.
Criminal liability has been introduced for such activities. More than 400 cases have been registered under Article 232-1 of the Criminal Code, with 66 already sent to court.
How SIM cards and accounts are used
Fraudsters need phone numbers to call victims, create accounts, and bypass restrictions. To do this, they involve individuals who register SIM cards in their own name and then pass them on.
In one case in February, a man in West Kazakhstan region registered more than a thousand SIM cards and transferred them to fraudsters. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
“Grey providers” and IP telephony
Authorities are also targeting so-called “grey providers” who supply fraudsters with communication services.
The rollout will be gradual. The system will first be tested as a pilot in Almaty, Shymkent, and Zhambyl region, and then expanded to all 16 regions.
What this means for users
Law enforcement is increasingly focusing not only on fraudsters themselves but on the entire chain — from account holders to those providing technical support.
Offers like “rent out your card,” “help with transfers,” or “register a number for money” are not side jobs — they are a risk of becoming part of a fraud scheme.