Promised hajj, demanded $13,500 — Namangan resident caught in the act

A man in Namangan has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after allegedly demanding $13,500 in exchange for promising to send two individuals on a Hajj pilgrimage. The incident was reported by the regional Main Department of Internal Affairs.

According to the report, a local resident submitted a formal complaint to the head of the regional Department of Internal Affairs. In the complaint, the individual stated that another person had promised to arrange Hajj travel for their parents and requested $6,500 per person—amounting to a total of $13,500. The complainant asked authorities to investigate the legitimacy of the offer and the actions of the person involved.

Following the complaint, law enforcement officers launched an urgent investigation. During the operation, the suspect was apprehended while accepting a payment of $6,500.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 25.168, Part 3, Clause "a" of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which pertains to fraud. Preliminary investigative procedures are currently underway.

Authorities have reminded the public that a similar incident occurred earlier in Tashkent, where individuals were caught after demanding $26,000 for an illegal Hajj pilgrimage and receiving $20,000 of the sum.