Taxi driver exploits sleeping passenger to secure fraudulent microloan in Tashkent

In a peculiar incident in Tashkent, a taxi driver exploited a passenger who fell asleep in his car to secure a microloan in her name. The Tashkent City Department of Internal Affairs reported the case.  

According to the investigation, the incident occurred after the passenger, who was intoxicated, handed her phone to the driver to verify an address before falling asleep in the vehicle. The next day, upon checking her account balance, she discovered that a microloan had been fraudulently issued in her name.  

Contrary to speculation, the victim clarified that she had not been drugged. Instead, the taxi driver and an accomplice used her phone to apply for a 12-million-soum microloan via an online banking app. They transferred the loan amount to her account and subsequently withdrew the funds from an ATM.  

Law enforcement quickly apprehended the suspects, who now face charges under Article 169 of the Criminal Code (Theft). Authorities confirmed that the victim was fully reimbursed for the stolen amount. The investigation is ongoing.  

This incident comes amid broader concerns about fraudulent activities involving bank cards. In prior investigations, authorities found that many bank cards, often issued without the cardholder's knowledge, were being used for illicit purposes. As a preventive measure, regulations now limit individuals to holding up to five bank cards per institution and a maximum of 20 across all banks.