Uzbekistan returns nearly $20 million to cybercrime victims
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Uzbekistan’s authorities returned UZS 209.9 billion (approximately $19.7 million) to over 19,000 citizens who fell victim to cybercrime during the first nine months of the year.
Interior Minister Aziz Toshpulatov led a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs to review cybersecurity efforts. Police identified 5,600 cybercrimes independently, while a collaborative system with the Central Bank blocked UZS 77.344 billion in fraudulent withdrawals and deactivated 43,001 bank cards linked to criminal activity.
Law enforcement also disabled over 38,000 phishing programs and secured the finances and devices of more than 668,000 people. Internet monitoring led to the blocking of 3,192 harmful websites and 1,446 malicious links. Officials noted shortcomings in cybersecurity work in several regions, including Tashkent city, Tashkent, Andijan, Bukhara, and Samarkand, and directed local managers to improve preventative measures and accountability. They plan to expand the use of digital platforms and increase public awareness campaigns.
