A large-scale criminal network responsible for telecom fraud has been shut down in Kazakhstan after losses to mobile operators exceeded 15 million tenge ($32,663).

The operation was carried out in April 2026 by the National Security Committee in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Investigators said the group bypassed official telecom operators by using shell companies to set up virtual phone exchanges, purchase local numbers, and deploy malicious software. This allowed international calls to appear as if they were made within Kazakhstan.

More than 4 million fraudulent calls were routed through the system.

During coordinated raids, law enforcement seized equipment and other evidence linked to the scheme. The investigation is ongoing, and further details have not been disclosed under procedural secrecy rules.