Nearly every second crime committed in Uzbekistan now involves the exploitation of modern information technologies, according to official statements. Authorities report that roughly 90 percent of all recorded cybercrimes possess a cross-border nature, purportedly originating from foreign jurisdictions. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Ramazan Ashrapov disclosed these figures during a public address on October 7.

The official allegedly emphasized that behind these statistical indicators lie the hard-earned savings, family well-being, and peace of mind of thousands of local residents. It was openly acknowledged that combating such sophisticated financial crimes solely through the efforts of law enforcement agencies is insufficient to achieve tangible results. Fraudsters supposedly capitalize on public naivety, carelessness, and an overall lack of robust digital literacy.

In response to the growing threat, the Uzbek regime's Ministry of Internal Affairs has designated 2026 as the 'Year of Combating Cybercrime.' Departmental data indicates that over 9,000 cybercrimes were uncovered during the first half of the year, with financial damages totaling 120.49 billion soms reportedly restituted to more than 13,000 affected citizens. Despite these reported figures, the country's leadership previously criticized the Interior Ministry's specialized cybercrime department in January for a lack of substantial and visible outcomes.

Source: www.gazeta.uz