The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan has issued a formal warning regarding the rise of sophisticated cyber fraud campaigns targeting citizens' bank accounts. Fraudsters are increasingly utilizing deceptive methods and enticing offers to misappropriate funds, resulting in significant financial losses for victims.
This information was provided to the Operative Information Center-OMM by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the Ministry, criminals are employing fake websites, fraudulent links, and promises of gifts or prizes to harvest confidential banking information. The MIA highlighted a common tactic: "Unknown individuals may pose as bank or institutional employees, requesting the cardholder's name, card expiration date, CVV/CVC code, and the one-time OTP security code sent to mobile devices."
The MIA emphasized that legitimate banks and government or private institutions do not request personal or banking details via phone, social media, or messaging applications. "This information must never be shared with third parties. Unauthorized access to these details can lead to financial transactions being conducted without the cardholder's knowledge or consent, facilitating the theft of funds," the statement warned.
Authorities strongly advise citizens to exercise caution: do not share confidential banking information, avoid clicking on suspicious links from unknown sources, and refrain from entering card details on unverified websites. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant against "winnings," "gifts," or "campaign" offers and to never disclose CVV/CVC or OTP codes, even if requested by someone claiming to be a bank employee.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to prioritize cybersecurity awareness in Azerbaijan, urging the public to treat their personal and financial data with the utmost security. "If you encounter any instances of cyber fraud, please contact the '102' Call Center or reach out to the official social media accounts of the MIA," the Ministry concluded.
Cybercrime has become a global challenge in the digital age, with financial institutions and law enforcement agencies worldwide increasing efforts to educate the public on digital hygiene. In Azerbaijan, the MIA regularly conducts awareness campaigns to mitigate the risks posed by evolving phishing and social engineering tactics.
