In 60% of complaints, fraudsters impersonated representatives of the company "Click" or the Central Bank, using citizens' personal data to secure online loans. In some instances, 5–6 loans were taken out in the name of one individual through various commercial banks.

In response to these complaints, investigators from internal affairs authorities issued directives to commercial banks, stating that the citizens had not utilized the credited funds and should be recognized as civil plaintiffs. The investigators also instructed banks to suspend the accrual and collection of interest on these loans until the perpetrators were identified. According to Article 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Uzbekistan, written instructions and orders issued by an investigator on a case under their jurisdiction are legally binding for all enterprises, organizations, officials, and citizens. However, banks continue to demand loan payments from victims of fraud.

The Ombudsman filed five civil lawsuits in the interest of citizens, resulting in the annulment of the loan agreements with the banks. In one case, the funds credited in the citizen’s name were returned to them, along with compensation for moral damages.

The increase in complaints in this area is primarily due to citizens' carelessness, inadequate information security, and insufficient financial literacy.

One positive development in this area was the introduction by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan of temporary regulations aimed at preventing fraudulent transactions with bank cards during online lending. This regulation is effective from November 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025.

According to the Central Bank, in 2024, fraudulent issuance of online loans caused financial damages amounting to approximately 15 billion UZS across 463 cases.

As technology advances, fraudsters continue to develop new methods of deception. To ensure information security and protect against fraud, the following precautions are strongly recommended:

• Never share your personal information, such as passport details, bank card numbers, or PIN codes with anyone.
• Avoid disclosing personal data on social networks or to unknown individuals.
• Do not share confirmation codes, passwords, or login details for banking applications received via your phone.
• Avoid downloading unfamiliar files, documents, or links received through social networks or email, as they may contain viruses or malicious software.
• Do not respond to calls or video calls from unknown numbers, especially international ones.
• If someone claims to represent a bank or other organization, verify their identity through official channels.

By staying vigilant and cautious, you can protect yourself from fraudsters. Ensuring information security is the personal responsibility of every citizen.

 Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)