False Credit Intermediaries: Dangers and Ways to Protect Yourself In the financial sector, the number of fraudsters offering "quick loans" is growing. They promise easy terms but end up taking your money. To avoid becoming a victim, pay attention to the following signs:

Main dangers:
• Inflated interest rates: 2–3 times higher than official bank rates.
• Instant approval: No documents required, approved within minutes or hours.
• Prepayment: They demand a “commission” before issuing the loan.
• Unknown websites: Platforms without a license or transparency.

How to protect yourself:
1. Check the intermediary’s license on the Central Bank’s website.
2. Read the contract carefully: Make sure all terms and rates are clearly stated.
3. Apply for loans only through official banks.
4. Do not disclose personal data to third parties or suspicious websites.
Financial “Pyramids”: How They Work and How to Recognize Them Financial pyramids are fraudulent schemes that promise “wealth without effort.” In reality, only the first participants profit, while the rest lose their money.

How it works:
1. The first participant contributes 100,000 UZS.
2. He attracts friends, each contributing 100,000 as well.
3. The upper levels receive profit from the lower ones.
4. When there are no new participants, the scheme collapses.

Signs:
• Promises of “quick profit.”
• Requirement to invite others.
• Lack of official documents and registration.
• Unrealistically high income (up to 50% per month).

How to avoid them:
1. Check registration with the Central Bank.
2. Do not confuse it with investments: it’s a form of gambling.
3. Consult with financial experts.
4. Report suspicious schemes to the police.
Deepfake: A New Weapon of Fraudsters and Ways to Protect Yourself Deepfake — fake videos and audio recordings created using artificial intelligence. Fraudsters use them to steal data and bank accounts.
Typical scenarios:
• Call “from the bank”: asking to “confirm security details.”
• Video “from a relative”: requesting a money transfer.
• Fake investments: a “famous person” promises high returns.

How to protect yourself:
1. Check videos: pay attention to background and facial expressions.
2. Use only official communication channels with your bank.
3. Use programs to detect deepfakes: Truepic, Microsoft Video Authenticator.