Costly scam: $500,000 fraud case shakes Tashkent's 'Malika' shopping center

A 23-year-old man from Tashkent, born in 2002, orchestrated a fraud scheme that left 11 shopkeepers at the "Malika" shopping center with losses amounting to 5.8 billion UZS (approximately $500,000). The details were revealed in a court ruling reviewed by QALAMPIR.UZ.

According to the court, the man, identified as S.U., carried out the scheme in July and August 2024. He acquired over 300 iPhones and Samsung phones from 11 sellers on an installment payment plan. However, instead of paying for the devices, he sold them to customers he found and used the money for personal needs.

On January 30, 2025, the case was heard at the Shaykhontohur District Court of Tashkent. During the trial, S.U. admitted to his actions but requested leniency, citing his inability to repay the financial damages. The court found him guilty of fraud under Article 168, Section 4(a) of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to eight years in prison. Additionally, S.U. was ordered to repay the 5.8 billion UZS owed to the victims.

Previously, in the Tashkent region, another individual was convicted of multiple crimes, including grand fraud, theft, false testimony, bribery, and defamation. This person received an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence. According to investigation and court documents from the Zangiota District's Department of Investigation, the individual committed 13 instances of fraud from 2021 to 2024 by gaining people's trust and making false promises to acquire significant financial assets unlawfully.

This earlier case involved schemes such as offering to procure vehicles at lower prices, arranging the purchase of land plots and real estate, and promising high-paying job placements. In doing so, the fraudster even exploited close acquaintances.