The Cybercrime Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan has arrested two individuals accused of orchestrating a phishing scheme that targeted citizens by mimicking legitimate shopping platforms and financial institutions to steal bank card details.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the MIA Press Service released details regarding the operation.
The investigation identified the suspects as Mahammad Ibadov and Huseyn Kazimov, who were apprehended following extensive search and technical operations conducted by the Cyber Police:
“Investigations revealed that H. Kazimov and M. Ibadov posted fraudulent advertisements on the Telegram platform, falsely claiming to offer computers, laptops, and mobile phones at significant discounts, as well as providing loans under favorable terms,” the official statement noted.
To maximize the reach of their fraudulent advertisements, the suspects utilized paid internet advertising services. Citizens who clicked on these links, believing they were accessing legitimate discount offers, were prompted to enter their bank card details on fake websites. Once entered, this sensitive information was immediately compromised. The cybercriminals then used these credentials to steal funds from the victims' accounts. To evade detection, the suspects transferred the stolen money to various betting platforms or to other bank cards under their control. It has been determined that H. Kazimov and M. Ibadov caused financial damage to hundreds of citizens using this method.
A criminal case has been initiated at the Main Department under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code. Authorities are continuing measures to identify additional victims and any other individuals who may have participated in the criminal scheme.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs once again urges citizens to exercise caution when encountering online discount sales or loan offers. The public is advised to enter bank card details only on official websites, carefully verify the URL in the address bar, and never share card CVV codes or SMS confirmation codes with third parties. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
Cybercrime remains a significant global challenge, with phishing attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated. In Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has intensified its efforts to combat digital fraud, frequently conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public on cybersecurity best practices and the importance of verifying online transaction security.
