Kyrgyzstan busts illegal call center in Kazakhstan defrauding elderly
BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN — Kyrgyzstan authorities have dismantled an illegal call center in Bishkek run by Kazakhstan nationals, detaining 43 employees for defrauding vulnerable elderly citizens.
The operation preyed on elderly victims in both countries through psychological manipulation and fake lottery schemes.
Cross-border scam exploited elderly with fake promises
The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) revealed the unregistered call center pressured victims into buying overpriced supplements, appliances, and lottery tickets, falsely claiming payments would boost winning odds.
Servers and databases were hosted in Kazakhstan, indicating an organized transnational crime operation.
Most targets were elderly, a demographic often vulnerable to financial scams.
The SCNS noted the scheme’s sophistication, using remote calling systems to evade local oversight while exploiting trust through aggressive sales tactics.
Crackdown highlights regional fraud risks
The detained 43 employees revealed that four minors put labor exploitation at risk. The SCNS’s swift response demonstrates Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to preventing international cybercrime, yet a lack of control over licensing and taxation allowed the center to function.
The INTERPOL agency has documented an over 30% increase in call center scams that occurred worldwide in the past years. Experienced professionals believe that stronger regional alliances can tackle criminal organizations that act as both human traffickers and money launderers.
Authority positions in Kyrgyzstan continue to pursue the criminals behind this scheme, together with their law enforcement partners in Kazakhstan. Authorities advise vigilance against unsolicited offers, particularly those demanding urgent payments.
