Dozens of residents in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region have fallen victim to a car loan scam, where fraudsters promised to pay off their debts. The scammers allegedly offered to return money already paid for vehicles, take over remaining payments, and transfer ownership after the loan was cleared.

The scheme targeted those struggling with car loan repayments. To appear convincing, the handover process was filmed, with a small sum of money given and then immediately taken back, with the explanation that full payment would be made the next day at a notary. The cars were then taken, and promises remained unfulfilled.

One victim, Nurbek Shodmonov, said he took out a loan of 191.6 million soums for a Gentra in 2024, paid an initial 54 million soums, and was paying 4 million soums monthly. The fraudsters offered to pay the loan for him and use the car as a taxi. After a year, not a single payment was made to the bank.

Another victim, Charos Oripova, said the scammers gave her $800 on camera but took it back immediately after filming, claiming the settlement would be at the notary. The car was taken and the perpetrators disappeared.

According to victims, criminal cases have been opened against four suspects. One of them, Muzaffar Shodmonov, was sentenced to 6 years in prison for fraud. The court also ordered him and other defendants to compensate 13 victims for damages.

Source: kun.uz