Authorities in Uzbekistan's Andijan region have uncovered a large-scale embezzlement scheme involving the Soliq Mobile tax application, resulting in the theft of 35.1 billion soums (approximately $3.1 million), according to the press service of the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office.

A pre-investigation revealed that six individuals, acting in collusion, registered several limited liability companies (LLCs) in the names of three citizens. Specifically, three LLCs were opened in the name of citizen U.K., five in the name of N.Yu., and one in the name of R.Kh.

Although no actual financial transactions occurred between these LLCs, the perpetrators used computer technology to falsify electronic invoices indicating the delivery of goods worth a total of 1.1 trillion soums (about $97 million) for March-April 2026.

Subsequently, the alleged sales proceeds were recorded through online cash registers, and purchase receipts were issued to simulate sales to citizens. As a result, 100,458 individuals received cashback payments via the Soliq Mobile app. In this manner, 35.1 billion soums in budget funds were embezzled through misappropriation and waste.

It was noted that responsible officials of the Andijan Regional Tax Department and others failed to cancel the VAT certificates of the aforementioned LLCs despite the registration of invoices totaling 1.1 trillion soums, nor did they report the suspicious transactions to the department's authorities.

A criminal case has been initiated under Articles 167 (embezzlement or misappropriation), 205 (abuse of power or official authority), and 228 (forgery of documents, stamps, seals, or blank forms) of the Criminal Code, and has been forwarded to the prosecutor's office for further investigation.

Source: www.gazeta.uz