The National Bank of Kazakhstan announces adoption of legislative amendments designed to tighten measures to suppress fraudulent transactions in the financial market, expand functionality of the National Anti-Fraud Center, and simplify return of funds to citizens exposed to fraudulent activities.

Funds blocked under transactions with fraud signs can now be returned by a notice to the investigative authorities with a prosecutor's approval (previously, a court order was required).

Moreover, the National Anti-Fraud Center creates a database of suspicious payment cards and e-wallets involved in illegal transactions.

Along with that, people with bank accounts blocked due to suspected fraud will retain an access to social payments and other money transfers related to pensions, scholarships, allowances or salaries.

To ensure that financial institutions can effectively analyze suspicious transactions, the blocking period for transactions with signs of fraud has been increased from 3 to 5 business days.

Another important legislative provision is introduction of criminal liability in Kazakhstan for "dropping", transfer of card or account information to fraudsters.

"These changes will allow us to respond more quickly to fraudulent attempts and more effectively suppress fraud, drug trafficking, financial pyramid schemes, and illegal gambling. Our goal is to create an effective system in Kazakhstan to combat fraudulent and other illegal transactions, to proactively respond to these threats," indicated Berik Sholpankulov, Deputy Governor of the National Bank.

Moreover, the National Anti-Fraud Center integrates its databases with the Prosecutor General's Office, the National Security Committee, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, and mobile operators.

Next stage of the Anti-Fraud Center's development will be introduction of artificial intelligence technology, which will identify suspicious activity in banking applications and block dubious transfers at the interbank level.

For reference: Currently, over 200 participants are connected to the National Bank's Anti-Fraud Center, including banks, microfinance organizations, telecom operators, and government agencies. Over 80,000 incidents have been recorded, as a result of which nearly 3 billion KZT were blocked. The Anti-Fraud Center of the National Bank was launched in 2024.

For more information mass media can contact:
8 (7172) 77–52–10
e-mail: press@nationalbank.kz 
www.nationalbank.kz