'Be vigilant' - FMA appealed to Kazakhstani citizens

Tengrinews.kz - The Financial Monitoring Agency warned Kazakhstan citizens about the risks associated with counterfeit and souvenir banknotes.

The FMA draws attention to the importance of remaining vigilant and cautious when conducting currency transactions, especially in light of videos circulating on social media in which citizens confuse real banknotes with souvenir or counterfeit money.

"These videos show how people, without paying proper attention, fail to distinguish real banknotes from fake or souvenir money, which creates a potential threat to financial security and can lead to undesirable consequences, including involvement in illegal operations," the statement said.

It is noted that since the beginning of 2024, approximately 2,000 counterfeit banknotes have been withdrawn from circulation in Kazakhstan, which poses a serious threat to financial stability. The total amount of seized counterfeit money exceeds 80 million tenge. Eight individuals involved in the production and sale of counterfeit banknotes have been convicted. They have been sentenced to real prison terms ranging from 5 to 6 years.

"To avoid such situations, check the banknotes during cash transactions: pay attention to the quality of the paper, security features, textures, and fonts. Do not exchange money with strangers and avoid dealing with 'money changers,' even with a favorable exchange rate. If you discover counterfeit banknotes, do not attempt to pass them off," the FMA warned.

It is worth reminding that earlier, the Department for Combating Cybercrime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned Kazakhstanis about the serious consequences of participating in fraudulent schemes.