3 billion soums withdrawn from Asakabank deposit through cyberattack

A heartbreaking cybercrime occurred in Jizzakh region. A large sum of a bank deposit was stolen by unknown individuals. The estimated damage is around 3 billion UZS, according to a kun.uz source. The citizen and the bank are blaming each other, and serious disputes are unfolding around the situation.

The incident has raised many questions and alarming thoughts. On December 19, 2023, an official deposit agreement was signed between a citizen and the Jizzakh regional branch of "Asakabank." According to this agreement, a deposit of 210,000 USD was placed in the bank. It was considered a highly secure agreement with standard customer protection mechanisms.

However, on May 26, 2025, the situation changed dramatically. Unknown individuals managed to secretly withdraw nearly 3 billion UZS from a deposit account titled “On-line uzs mobile” through the "Asakabank" mobile app. This primarily points to a need to reconsider cybersecurity in the banking system.

The most notable aspect is that the depositor is blaming bank employees. According to him, some staff at the Jizzakh branch of "Asakabank" forged contracts in his name and misappropriated the funds in the accounts for personal gain. These claims are documented and being studied by experts.

The bank, on its part, blames a malicious APK file installed on the customer’s mobile phone. They claim that personal data was obtained through the virus, and funds were withdrawn using this method. The victim refutes this, stating that the money was withdrawn not from his phone, but from the bank’s own internally protected system secured with two-step authentication.

An investigation has begun. The Investigation Department of the Jizzakh Region Police launched a criminal case under Article 169, part 3, items “b” and “v” of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan – theft. The perpetrators remain unidentified, and investigative efforts are actively ongoing.

Many experts consider this incident a serious warning for depositors. In their view, banks must enhance control over cybersecurity and provide additional mechanisms to protect client data. Especially for operations done via mobile apps, double or triple verification should be mandatory.

The victim is seeking justice. He emphasizes that he trusted the bank, legally deposited his money, and aimed to protect it lawfully. Now, he is left without both money and truth. To restore his rights, he is contacting all official bodies.

This event challenges not just a single individual but the entire trust system of deposits. The cyberattack, which caused a major public reaction, has shocked many. Who is guilty and who is right – only the court and investigation will decide. But it is clear that such cases demand stricter control and transparency in the future.

For now, both the depositor and the bank seem to be accusing one another. The investigation will not conclude until the criminals are identified. One thing is certain: the crime is complex, and its consequences are severe.

Relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies are thoroughly investigating the matter. Meanwhile, society and the media are closely watching the developments. Everyone should learn from such incidents. Because when trust is lost, it’s not just the money that disappears – the entire system can collapse. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!