Uzbekistan Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Uzbekistan, with official reporting routes through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and UZCERT.
Emergency number: 102 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Uzbekistan is an increasingly popular Silk Road travel destination, with tourists visiting Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent. Visitors face overcharging taxis, currency exchange fraud and inflated prices at tourist sites, while residents encounter phone fraud, fake investment platforms and phishing. The Uzbekistan police can be reached on 102, and UZCERT at uzcert.uz handles national-level cyber incident reporting.
Common scams
- Phone impersonation scams posing as police or bank officials
- Investment and crypto fraud promoted via Telegram and social media
- Phishing messages impersonating Uzbek banks or government services
- Fake online marketplace listings with advance payment
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging unofficial taxis at Tashkent airport and tourist sites
- Currency exchange fraud at unofficial booths or with street changers
- Inflated entrance fees demanded by unofficial 'helpers' at Samarkand and Bukhara sites
- Overpriced handicraft goods sold as unique local items
Online shopping scams
- Fake social media shops with no goods delivered
- Phishing links targeting online banking or Click/Payme credentials
- Delivery fee SMS scams impersonating postal or courier services
Job scams
- Fake overseas job ads targeting Uzbek workers seeking opportunities abroad
- Task scams via Telegram bots escalating into deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming escalating to investment or money requests
- Fake online partners seeking emergency wire transfers
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto platforms promoted via Telegram channels
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated investment portals
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to freeze affected accounts
- Call 102 (police) or 112 (emergency) to report fraud
- Report cyber incidents to UZCERT at uzcert.uz
- Preserve all screenshots, messages, wallet addresses and transaction receipts as evidence
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the official number on your card. Request an emergency hold on fraudulent transfers. For Payme or Click fraud, contact the provider using official in-app channels. Obtain a police case number for formal disputes.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is UZCERT and how do I report cybercrime in Uzbekistan?
UZCERT is the national cybersecurity incident response team for Uzbekistan, operating at uzcert.uz. You can report cyber incidents via their website or email [email protected]. For criminal fraud, call the police on 102 or 112.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance