Cybercriminals target money transfers to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is seeing an increasing number of cyber fraud cases involving international remittances – with money vanishing before reaching the intended recipients.

One such case involved Jamol Eshqobilov, a native of the Kashkadarya region currently working in Russia. On July 18, he transferred $1,200 to his wife using the Zolotaya Korona mobile app.

“My wife went to the bank, handed over her passport, and got in line,” he said. “While she was waiting, a young man approached her and said he didn’t have any balance on his phone, asking to make a quick call. After being turned down by one woman, he asked my wife. She gave him her phone. He walked away a bit, talked to someone, then returned the phone and thanked her.”

“A short while later, she received a call from an unknown number. A man’s voice asked: “Are you [her full name]? Did you receive a $1,200 transfer from Russia?” Surprised, she asked how he knew that, but the caller immediately hung up. When she reached the cashier’s window, she was told the money had already been withdrawn,” Eshqobilov explained.

They contacted the mobile operator’s branch, which helped trace the number from which the call had been made. A report was also filed with law enforcement, and an investigation is now underway.

According to Eshqobilov, the Zolotaya Korona app normally shows the exact bank where the funds are collected. However, in this case, it simply stated: “Funds received via phone.”

Eshqobilov also noted that a similar incident had previously happened to a friend of his. In that case, the amount was smaller, and the victim chose not to report it to the authorities.