The key facts

  • 6,718 cybercrimes were registered in January–September 2026 — 1,984 (42%) more than in the same period of 2025
  • 94% of cases (6,303) involve taking money from bank cards: 2,711 — cyber fraud, 3,592 — cyber theft
  • Total damage — 49 billion 887 million soums; 18 billion 236 million soums (36%) has been compensated

Cybercrime up 42%

In Samarkand region, 6,718 crimes committed using information technologies were registered in January–September 2026. This is 1,984 cases, or 42%, more than in the same period last year. The figures were presented by Komiljon Gafforov, deputy head of the regional internal affairs department, at a session of the regional Council of Deputies, reports Zarnews (as cited by Kun.uz).

Main method — theft from bank cards

According to Gafforov, 6,303 crimes, or 94% of the total, involved taking money from citizens' bank plastic cards: 2,711 cases were classified as cyber fraud and 3,592 as cyber theft. The methods used were distributed as follows: in 3,550 cases, access to a bank card or device control was obtained through fake links or malicious software; 1,478 cases involved deception via social media and online commerce; in 575 cases, schemes were used to attract money through fake trading and online exchanges; 101 cases concerned online microloans and credit applications; in 97 cases, SMS codes were obtained through fake phone calls.

Damage and its compensation

As a result of crimes involving bank cards, citizens suffered damage totaling 49 billion 887 million soums. Of this, 18 billion 236 million soums, or 36%, has been compensated. For the remaining 31 billion 651 million soums, measures to compensate the damage are being taken. The sources do not say over what period full compensation is expected or what specific measures are envisaged.