Following the exposure of a massive labor migration fraud scheme, the Kun.uz news outlet has received numerous appeals from deceived citizens.

One of the victims is Otabek Sharipov from the Khatyrchi district of Navoi region. Despite his disability, he entrusted all his savings to the fraudsters.

According to Sharipov, in 2024 his son was working in Tashkent when he heard about tokens being distributed for travel to South Korea for $24. Acquaintances recommended contacting Bakhtiyor Norkhonov from their neighborhood.

Norkhonov promised to arrange the paperwork for $10,000 to $15,000. Sharipov sold part of his house and gave up all his savings. Norkhonov assured that his son would leave within three months.

For the first exam, another young man appeared instead of Sharipov's son and scored 86 points. The son was told he would take the second exam himself. Then $700 was paid for a week-long Korean language course.

In 2025, three or four more selections were held, but the son was not sent. Later, Norkhonov demanded $4,500 to call for a visa from South Korea. Sharipov collected 36 million soums. Then another $1,300, bringing the total to $15,000.

As 2026 began, the son still had not left. Around that time, anti-corruption measures were launched, and Bakhtiyor Norkhonov was detained and arrested. Sharipov admitted he was unaware of the possibility of free travel and had believed the promises.

Source: kun.uz