In the modern digital era, the internet has become an integral part of human life. Online shopping, the use of banking services, and communication on social networks have all greatly simplified our daily lives. However, the development of information technology has also led to an increase in offenses committed in the internet space. One of the most common crimes is online fraud.

Today, fraudsters use various tricks and schemes, trying to illegally obtain citizens' personal data or money. Most often, they pose as bank employees, law enforcement officers, or representatives of online stores, misleading people and abusing their trust. As a result of such actions, many citizens suffer material losses.

According to legislation, fraudulent actions committed via the internet are regulated by Article 190 ("Fraud") of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to this article, taking possession of another's property through deception or abuse of trust is a criminal offense. Various penalties are provided for such actions: a fine, community service, restriction or deprivation of liberty. If fraud is committed using the internet, causes major material damage, or is committed by a group of persons, the punishment may be more severe.

Currently, there are several common methods of internet fraud. One of them is the creation of fake online stores on social networks. In such cases, fraudsters offer goods at reduced prices and require prepayment. After the money is transferred, they stop communicating. Another common method is phone calls to citizens where the caller poses as a bank employee. Under the pretext of "detecting a suspicious transaction," they ask for bank card details or a code from an SMS message. As a result, funds are illegally debited from the citizen's account.

To prevent such offenses, citizens must follow internet safety rules. First of all, under no circumstances should you disclose your bank card number, CVV code, or secret codes from SMS messages to strangers, as this information provides access to your bank account.

Furthermore, it is important not to click on suspicious links. Fraudsters often create fake websites and force citizens to enter their login, password, or banking information. Therefore, before using any website, you should carefully check its address.

Before purchasing goods through online stores, you should verify their reliability: read user reviews, check for an official contact number and the seller's legal address. If an offer seems too good to be true, it should be treated with caution.

If a citizen becomes a victim of internet fraud, they should immediately contact their bank and request a freeze on card transactions. It is also important to file a report with law enforcement agencies and inform them of what happened. This will help identify the criminals and hold them accountable.

In conclusion, it should be noted that internet fraud is a pressing problem of modern society. As information technology develops, the methods of committing such crimes become increasingly sophisticated. Therefore, increasing the legal literacy of citizens and following internet safety rules are among the most effective ways to prevent fraud. Only by responsibly protecting your personal data and being cautious online can you reduce the risk of becoming a victim of such crimes.

Nurgul SMAGULOVA,
Chief Specialist-Secretary of the Court Session
of the Ridder City Court, East Kazakhstan Region