A firecracker hidden in a cake exploded in a bank branch in Pavlodar. Two elderly people sustained minor injuries, the Pavlodar region police department reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The report of the incident was received by police around 4:00 PM. According to preliminary data, a man and a woman fell victim to phone scammers.
Earlier, the pensioners had already lost money by investing in fake investment projects. Police are investigating this fact. Individuals acting as droppers have been identified and held accountable; court measures are being taken to recover the stolen funds.
Later, the criminals contacted the victims again and, under the pretext of returning the money, convinced them to buy a cake and a firecracker.
"Using psychological manipulation methods, they convinced the pensioners to purchase a cake and a firecracker. Following the scammers' instructions, the pensioners set off the firecracker placed inside the cake," police reported.
As a result of the blast, both pensioners sustained minor injuries.
Criminal cases have been initiated regarding the incident. Law enforcement is conducting operational search activities to identify and detain the suspects.
Police warned that people who have already suffered from scammers may be targeted again. Criminals may promise a refund, compensation, dividends, or a large prize.
Law enforcement reminded that bank employees, government agencies, police, and investment companies do not require performing dangerous actions, transferring funds, or following phone instructions from strangers.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that scammers convinced a pensioner from Kostanay to withdraw 2.5 million tenge from a deposit, exchange it for dollars, and attempt to transfer it to a "safe account" in Turkey. The operation was stopped thanks to bank employees and police.