The key facts

  • 17,483 cybercrimes solved in Uzbekistan this year; over 19,000 citizens compensated for damages exceeding 209.9 billion soums.
  • 43,001 bank cards linked to criminal activity blocked; illegal withdrawal of 77.3 billion soums prevented in nine months.
  • MIA acknowledged insufficient effectiveness of cybercrime prevention, criticizing work in Tashkent and several regions.

In Uzbekistan, 17,483 cybercrimes were solved this year, and more than 19,000 citizens were compensated for damages totaling over 209.9 billion soums.

At the same time, the Ministry of Internal Affairs acknowledgedthat the measures taken to prevent and solve such crimes do not yet ensure sufficient effectiveness.

According to the ministry, over nine months, the joint system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Central Bank made it possible to prevent the illegal withdrawal of 77.3 billion soums and block 43,001 bank cards linked to criminal activity.

Of the total number of solved cybercrimes, 5,600 were identified on the initiative of law enforcement officers. In addition, specialists shut down the activity of more than 38,000 phishing programs designed to steal money from bank accounts. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this protected the devices and funds of more than 668,000 citizens.

During internet monitoring, 6,771 messages were examined, 3,192 dangerous resources were blocked, and the activity of 1,446 malicious links related to fraud was stopped.

At a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the insufficient effectiveness of the prevention, detection, and solving of cybercrimes was noted. The work on ensuring cybersecurity in Tashkent, as well as in the Tashkent, Andijan, Bukhara, and Samarkand regions, was criticized separately.

Following the meeting, responsible officials were instructed to strengthen cooperation with banks, use anti-fraud systems and the 'APK Qo'riqchi' platform more effectively, and intensify preventive work among the population.