An official in Uzbekistan's Fergana region has been arrested for allegedly demanding $2,000 from a prospective student in exchange for help securing admission to a higher education institution. The suspect was caught red-handed while receiving the money.

According to the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor's Office, the special operation was carried out by department officers together with law enforcement agencies. The detained individual is the deputy head of the employment and poverty reduction department of the Kushtepa district.

The investigation claims that the official promised to arrange the applicant's enrollment in a university in the Andijan region through influential acquaintances. For this service, he allegedly demanded $2,000.

The man was arrested at the moment of receiving the agreed sum. A criminal case has been opened against him on charges of fraud and bribery. Investigative actions are currently underway.

Earlier, a female fraudster was detained in Tashkent for extorting a large sum of money from a citizen under the guise of helping with university admission.

Source: podrobno.uz