Fraud scheme targeting Russian elderly uncovered in Uzbekistan

A criminal group engaged in defrauding Russian citizens from Uzbekistan was exposed and detained in Tashkent and Fergana, as reported by the State Security Service.  

During an operation conducted on January 24, 2025, authorities identified the group's leader, born in 1986 in Fergana, who had organized fraudulent schemes to illegally embezzle funds from Russian citizens.  

According to the investigation, the group operated by using a combination of Sberbank and UzCard accounts. The fraudsters would call victims, convince them to transfer money, and then redirect the funds to their own accounts.  

The scheme involved not only residents of Fergana but also Russian individuals who collaborated with them. The network consisted of 32 people operating under the cover of two call centers in Fergana and one in Tashkent.  

The leader of the group had trained fraudsters in Russia, where they studied methods for deceiving people using information technology. After returning to Fergana, they implemented these fraudulent tactics.  

The operation was highly structured. The group obtained personal data from the darknet, targeting Russian citizens who had purchased biologically active supplements. The fraud was divided into three groups:  

- The first group posed as representatives of the Investigative Committee, calling victims and falsely claiming they owed payments of up to 580,000 rubles.  
- The second group, posing as tax authorities, misled victims about tax payments.  
- The third group, impersonating legal advisors from the Ministry of Finance, promised compensation for fake damages but required upfront income tax payments.  

Authorities conducted raids in Fergana and Tashkent, identifying call center locations. The Investigation Department of the Fergana Regional Department of Internal Affairs launched criminal proceedings under charges of fraud and illegal gambling. A total of 32 individuals were detained.  

The fraudsters mainly targeted elderly Russian citizens, claiming that their purchased supplements were counterfeit and that they were entitled to state compensation. Once victims provided their bank details, the fraudsters transferred funds to personal accounts and laundered the money.  

Investigations are ongoing. Earlier, authorities in Fergana also detained fraudsters who promised to multiply citizens' money in a short time.