Russia: Citizens Who Obtained Kazakh Bank Cards Remotely Summoned for Questioning

Russian citizens who obtained Kazakhstani bank cards remotely are now being called in for questioning, possibly in connection with criminal cases in Kazakhstan, Orda.kz reports.

According to the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti, police have begun interrogating Russians who applied for Kazakh bank cards without traveling abroad. Reports suggest that Russian security services may be targeting more than a thousand people, with summonses starting in September.

People received cards remotely — this option has been available since 2023 not only through specialized services but also via major Russian financial institutions. To do this, they needed a Kazakhstan Individual Identification Number (IIN) and were required to submit a passport photo and a copy of their application, the channel noted.

Remote applications for IINs were banned in Kazakhstan in February 2024. In early 2025, further restrictions were introduced: bank cards for non-residents became valid for no longer than one year, and limits were placed on the number of such cards.

Despite this, illegal “assistants” continued to offer remote IIN and card registration services to Russians.

Those summoned to the police after obtaining IINs remotely have declined to comment, but it is believed they are being questioned as part of criminal cases related to the unlawful issuance of bank cards in Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny