Bankers in five regions suspected of embezzling nearly 2 billion soums

A number of violations committed in the banking system have been uncovered in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as in Fergana, Andijan and Bukhara regions. During inspections, it was found that some bank employees and former officials had illegally misappropriated preferential loan funds. The Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office reported this.

It was noted that in Beruniy district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, three employees of a commercial bank’s Banking Services Center colluded and issued preferential loans in the names of five citizens. However, instead of using the funds for their intended purpose, they misappropriated 146 million soums.

In Rishton district of Fergana region, responsible employees of a commercial bank branch and other individuals were found to have illegally misappropriated loans allocated under the “Every Family is an Entrepreneur” program. The suspects issued a total of 747 million soums in preferential loans in the names of 21 citizens for handicrafts, the purchase of sewing equipment, greenhouse construction and livestock farming. Without informing the citizens, they transferred the funds to supplier companies.

In Khojaobod district of Andijan region, a former deputy manager of a commercial bank’s Banking Services Center and other individuals established an individual entrepreneurship entity in a citizen’s name. It was found that they obtained 500 million soums in loan funds based on false information. According to reports, this person had previously been convicted under Article 167 of the Criminal Code.

In Jondor district of Bukhara region, a former head and former specialist of a bank were found to have issued loans in citizens’ names without their knowledge and fraudulently obtained 110 million soums.

In addition, in Qoshtepa district of Fergana region, a former department head at a bank promised to help a citizen obtain a mortgage loan worth 240.5 million soums to purchase a home. However, through a fake loan agreement, he used 90 million soums of the allocated funds for his own needs.

Criminal cases have been opened under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code in connection with these incidents. Investigative actions are currently ongoing.

Earlier, it was reported that the head of a business entity in Fergana city had embezzled 1.5 billion soums in loan funds allocated by a bank.