Adolescents in Kostanay region traded their WhatsApp accounts to swindlers
In a recent development, three 15-year-old boys from Zhitikara in the Kostanai region have been identified by the regional police department's cybercrime prevention unit for selling their WhatsApp accounts. This action has led to a series of fraudulent activities that resulted in the defrauding of two women in Kostanai of 11 million 950 thousand tenge.
The regional police department has issued a reminder about scammers' tactics, aiming to protect potential victims from falling prey to such fraudulent activities. Parents are urged to explain the risks and potential consequences of illegal activities to their children.
The exact prevalence of such cases in Kazakhstan is not clearly defined, as there is no explicit public data available on the frequency of teenagers selling WhatsApp accounts to scammers specifically in the country.
Regarding legal consequences, for teenagers, such acts may be treated as participation in fraud, cybercrime, or related offenses. Penalties could range from warnings and mandatory education programs to fines or juvenile detention, depending on the severity and the teenager’s age.
For parents, direct legal responsibility is less common unless they were involved or negligent in supervising their children. However, civil liabilities (e.g., compensation claims) or obligations to ensure supervision might be enforced.
The investigation into the case was initiated by the regional police department's cybercrime prevention unit, with Acting Head Olzhas Maghparov leading the efforts. An investigation is currently underway regarding the fraudulent activity.
The scammers gained access to the victims' data by asking them to dictate an SMS code under false pretenses. Once they had access, they withdrew money from the victims' accounts. It is important to note that scammers often use fake accounts in messengers and social networks to gain victims' trust and extract money from them.
The report of this fraudulent activity was made by Vechernyaya Astana. The total amount defrauded was 11 million 950 thousand tenge, and the fraudsters defrauded two specific individuals, both women, in Kostanai.
As the investigation progresses, the actions of the teenagers involved in selling their WhatsApp accounts will be evaluated legally, and the possibility of holding the parents of the teenagers accountable will be considered during the investigation. This serves as a reminder for parents to be vigilant and educate their children about the risks and consequences of such actions.
Cybercrime prevention units are urging parents to educate their children about the risks and consequences of illegally selling technology like WhatsApp accounts, following a case where three 15-year-olds from Zhitikara were identified for defrauding two women in Kostanai. It's crucial to be aware that scammers often use technology to gain victims' trust and commit crimes such as fraud. The legal consequences for the teenagers could range from warnings to fines or juvenile detention, while parents might face civil liabilities if they are found negligent in supervising their children.
