One of the primary reasons for the rise in fraud is the growing number of bank card users. At the start of the year, there were fewer than 40 million bank card users in Uzbekistan, but that number has since exceeded 55 million.
Identifying the criminals and recovering stolen funds from cyber fraud is extremely difficult. This is because fraud can be committed from anywhere in the world, making the identification process more complicated.
Fraud trends
Fraud became more prevalent after the pandemic when online services saw a significant increase in use. In the past, most fraud occurred through phone calls, where criminals impersonated bank employees and asked victims to enter one-time codes received via SMS. This allowed the criminals to access banking information. However, the share of such schemes has drastically decreased from 95% to about 12-13%.
Today, most complaints are related to viral programs distributed through APK files via the Telegram messenger. Users often download these unknown files, thinking they're useful apps. Once installed, these programs request critical permissions, such as access to SMS messages, phone calls, and contact numbers. The gathered information is then sent to the criminals' servers.
The "Hello, Mom" scam
Another widespread fraud method is the "Hello, Mom" scam. In this scheme, criminals pretend to be a "relative" involved in a traffic accident, asking for money to resolve the issue. This type of fraud has been common in Tashkent, particularly among Russian-speaking residents. It's believed that the criminals behind this scam operate from outside the country, which is why Uzbek-speaking individuals are less frequently targeted.
Victims of this scam are often addressed by name, and personal details such as their home address are mentioned, which makes it more convincing. However, such information can be easily obtained, even online.
Fake transfer scam
A common trick involves receiving an SMS notifying you that money has been credited to your bank account. Shortly afterward, an unknown caller claims that the money was transferred to you by mistake and asks you to return it.
These criminals attempt to stir sympathy by telling emotional stories — such as claiming that these are their last funds, they’ve lost their job, or they need money for medical treatment. This is all an attempt to distract you. In some cases, the scammer may offer to let you keep a small portion of the money as a "bonus" for your help.
