A criminal court in the Yunusabad district of Tashkent, presided over by Judge Shamsiddin Tojiyev, has delivered a verdict against members of the 'Umid avto' group, whose victims included hundreds of citizens across Uzbekistan. All 14 defendants were found guilty of large-scale fraud involving promises to deliver cars on preferential terms.

The investigation revealed that the convicts established more than 20 limited liability companies, including 'Umid avto companies', 'Umid Savdo Fayz Invest', and 'Umid Avto Lizing'. They actively advertised services for purchasing any car brand at low interest rates through social media. Initially, the defendants were charged with nearly 1,000 criminal episodes causing total damage of 88.5 billion soums (approximately $7.3 million). However, during the trial, the defendants were acquitted of 130 episodes, and several victims withdrew their claims.

Ultimately, the court ordered the recovery of over 60 billion soums (about $5 million) from the guilty parties in favor of the victims across 834 episodes. The main figures received severe prison sentences: Dilshod Kodirov and network leader Abdumannop Abdurakhmanov were each sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. Other group members received sentences ranging from 5 to 9 years, depending on their role in the criminal schemes. The only female defendant, Umidabonu Khudoyberdiyeva, was sentenced to 5 years in a penal colony.

The group's activities were halted in 2025 when law enforcement agencies arrested the organizers of a financial pyramid operating under the guise of auto leasing. Scheme participants promised clients fast car delivery but actually embezzled funds, using an extensive network of branches across the country.

Source: podrobno.uz