Group caught in Tashkent for embezzling nearly 3 billion soums (video)

The individuals who stole nearly 3 billion soums from the bank cards of 133 citizens through malicious software have been detained in Tashkent, the Cybersecurity center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

According to the statement, as part of the nationwide “Safe cyberspace” preventive operation, the Ministry’s Cybersecurity center and its Tashkent city department carried out a special operation. During the operation, it was revealed that a group of individuals had been distributing APK-based viruses created for Android devices to citizens, thereby gaining access to their SMS notifications, call records, and contact information. It was further established that these malicious programs were linked to Telegram groups involving 11 members from different countries who had been engaged in stealing citizens’ personal data.

As a result of rapid investigative measures carried out in Tashkent, five members of this criminal group were detained. When their residences and mobile devices were searched, it was revealed that they had illegally obtained nearly 3 billion soums from more than 133 citizens.

According to the report, a criminal case has been initiated against these individuals under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and the suspects have been taken into custody in accordance with procedural rules. Operational measures are continuing across the republic to identify other individuals connected to this criminal group.

It is worth noting that earlier, the State Tax Committee issued a warning regarding the creation of a fake website that, on behalf of the Committee’s chairman, claimed that Uzbek citizens would be paid up to 100 million soums in compensation.