Authorities in Uzbekistan have uncovered a series of fraud cases involving promises of employment abroad. Suspects allegedly convinced citizens that they could arrange work or study trips to South Korea, collecting large sums of money for their services.

The largest case was recorded in Fergana region. A former head of the regional branch of the Migration Agency allegedly received $90,000 from eight citizens, promising to send them to work after passing exams. In the same region, a citizen claiming connections at the agency took $10,000 from a victim, later returning $3,000.

A similarly large-scale fraud was uncovered in Namangan region. In Yangikurgan district, two individuals allegedly deceived 22 people, obtaining $34,200 and 79.3 million soums.

In Jizzakh region, law enforcement identified three separate incidents. Previously convicted I.A. allegedly received $32,300 from six people, promising job placement. In Farish district, a citizen took $4,000, returning $1,000 to the victim. Another resident allegedly defrauded a victim of $7,000, later returning $100 and 3.8 million soums.

In Gulistan, Syrdarya region, a citizen allegedly received $19,000 from six people for promising work in Korea. During proceedings, the victim was returned 700,000 soums from the previously paid $6,000.

In Samarkand, authorities found that a citizen allegedly received $12,500, promising to help one person travel to South Korea for work.

In Gijduvan district, Bukhara region, a previously convicted citizen allegedly extorted $5,600 by promising to arrange study and work in Korea through purported high-level connections.

Criminal cases have been opened under relevant articles of the Criminal Code for all identified incidents. Investigations are ongoing.

Similar schemes were previously stopped in Tashkent and Andijan, where perpetrators allegedly promised jobs in the US and South Korea, demanding tens of thousands of dollars.

Source: podrobno.uz