Taxi driver thwarts scam, saves pensioner from losing over $3,300

A vigilant taxi driver in Ust-Kamenogorsk has been hailed as a hero after preventing an elderly passenger from losing a significant sum of money to phone scammers. The incident unfolded during a routine taxi ride when the driver noticed his passenger speaking on the phone.

During the conversation, the person on the other end of the line requested an SMS verification code. Recognizing this as a common tactic used by telephone fraudsters, the driver intervened. He advised the elderly woman not to disclose the code and then took the phone himself to confront the caller.

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Is this your mother?

When the caller confirmed the woman was his mother, the driver directly asked if he was attempting to scam her out of her money. According to police reports, Torezhan Adabiyetov's quick thinking and intervention prevented scammers from stealing over 1.5 million tenge (approximately $3,300 USD) from the pensioner.

Erlan Omarbekov, Head of the East Kazakhstan Regional Police Department, met with Adabiyetov to express gratitude for his attentiveness, courage, and active civic stance. Police emphasized the crucial role citizens like Adabiyetov play in thwarting crimes before funds are lost. Authorities used the incident to remind the public to remain vigilant against demands for urgent money withdrawals, transfers to "secure accounts," or requests for SMS codes, urging immediate contact with the police if such situations arise.

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Were you trying to scam her out of her money?