B1 certificate scam for master’s admission uncovered in Tashkent

Several individuals in Tashkent have been detained for promising to illegally obtain a B1 language certificate required for admission to a master’s degree program. The incident was reported by the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office.

According to the report, during an operation conducted in cooperation with the Uchtepa district office and the State Security Service, citizen H.E. and others deceived a prospective student, identified as N.A., by claiming they could secure a B1 certificate through their acquaintances for $1,900.

They were caught red-handed while accepting an advance payment of $1,000 as material evidence.

A criminal case has been initiated under Articles 168 (fraud) and 28, 211 (bribery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Investigative actions are currently underway.

Authorities noted that similar cases have been previously uncovered in both Tashkent and Fergana. In one incident, a faculty member at Tashkent State University of Economics was detained after accepting $4,000 from a Tashkent resident in exchange for facilitating admission to the university through his official contacts.