Azerbaijan detects TikTok accounts impersonating payment systems

Azerbaijan’s National Cybersecurity Agency (NCA) has identified TikTok accounts sharing information about websites that imitate payment systems.

The agency said the websites offer discounted internet and voice packages from operators Azercell, Bakcell and Nar, but do not provide genuine payment services and instead request users’ bank card details, Caliber.Az reports.

The activity is not a collection of isolated incidents but a network operating according to a common template.

Each case consists of the same four elements: a name imitating a legitimate payment brand, a website hosted on cheap or free hosting, a TikTok account and paid advertising for the profile. Only the brand name changes, while the structure remains the same.

Officials noted that the use of paid advertising has been confirmed in all cases, with the materials featuring an “Ad” label and “Learn more” and “Shop now” buttons.

This, according to the agency, indicates that each account is backed by an advertising account, a payment method and verified contact details.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov