In an interview with the "Birinchi Radio" station, he noted that recently there has been an increase in cases where criminals impersonate police officers, GKNB agents, bank employees, or National Bank officials. A characteristic feature of cyber fraud is the lack of personal contact — crimes are carried out through phone calls and messengers, and the perpetrators often apply psychological pressure on their victims.
According to Akylbekov, the most common victims are elderly people who grew up during the Soviet era and primarily speak Russian. Among those who do not speak Russian, such cases are recorded less frequently. Victims often voluntarily provide criminals with their personal data, information about bank accounts, and property. In some cases, citizens take out loans, sell movable and immovable property, and transfer the money received to the criminals.
Akylbekov also emphasized that legislative measures have been taken to combat cybercrime. In August of last year, Article 209-1 was added to the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, which imposes liability for the intentional transfer and sale of electronic payment means, electronic wallets, virtual assets, and SIM cards to third parties. According to the representative of the Bishkek City Police, citizens themselves sometimes create conditions for committing crimes by issuing bank cards in their names and providing access to them to criminals for a small reward.
Particular attention has been paid to the security of SIM cards. Law enforcement agencies strongly urge citizens not to share access to their messengers, including WhatsApp, which are linked to their personal numbers, as criminals can use them to deceive people from anywhere in the world.
It has been reported that from August until the end of 2025, employees of the cyber units of the Bishkek City Police and district departments identified and detained 116 "droppers" — individuals who surrendered their bank cards. Of these, 30 people were brought to criminal responsibility. This indicates a decrease in cases of cybercrime involving bank cards following the introduction of the new article.
