Fraudsters caught in Uzbekistan for illegally promising “overseas” opportunities

TASHKENT CITY, UZBEKISTAN - In a recent development, local authorities in Tashkent City and the Fergana region apprehended individuals involved in an illegal scheme to send people abroad. The suspects, who made fraudulent promises of study and employment opportunities in South Korea and Germany, were captured following a joint operation by law enforcement agencies. The Press Service of the Department under the General Prosecutor's Office confirmed the arrests.

According to official reports, a resident of the Chilonzor district in Tashkent City, identified as A.J., placed his trust in an individual named AA. A.J. was enticed by AA's offer to facilitate his study program in South Korea, with assistance from acquaintances who claimed to possess the necessary contacts and expertise to prepare visa documents. The scam unraveled when A.J. was caught red-handed, accepting a sum of 10,000 US dollars as payment.

In a separate incident, another citizen identified as M.A. from the Tuproqkala district in the Khorezm region fell victim to a similar deception. M.A. was approached by an individual who pledged to secure employment for B.D. in a German state through connections in high-ranking positions. Consequently, M.A. was coerced into providing 500 US dollars and 2.6 million soums, falsely claiming these amounts were necessary to process the arrangement.

The suspects now face charges under articles 168 (fraud) and 28, 211 (bribery) of the Criminal Code. Law enforcement authorities have initiated criminal investigations to delve deeper into the extent of the fraudulent activities and bring all perpetrators to justice.

The arrests serve as a stark reminder for individuals seeking overseas opportunities to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of offers. The Department under the General Prosecutor's Office advises citizens to approach authorized channels and reputable agencies when exploring study or employment options abroad, ensuring they do not fall prey to fraudulent schemes.