Uzbekistan's Interior Ministry and State Security Service have dismantled a major criminal network operating two fraudulent call centers in Tashkent, the ministry's press service reported.

During raids, authorities uncovered a call center on the 6th floor of a business center in Yashnabad district, employing 97 people, including 5 foreign nationals. Another call center was found on the 11th floor of a business center in Yakkasaray district, with 34 employees, 3 of whom were foreigners.

The call centers had managers, organizers, assistants, group leaders, and operators. They created phishing links promising up to 70% monthly returns and called citizens of Canada, the UK, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other countries using spoofed numbers. Posing as traders, they convinced victims to transfer cryptoassets as supposed investments.

Employees were young people fluent in foreign languages, including students from prestigious universities. Each made hundreds of calls daily, using fake names. Access to the buildings was tightly controlled, with private security guards stationed at the doors.

Authorities seized 136 computers, 90 monitors, 73 processors, 53 all-in-one PCs, 320 phones, 128 hard drives, 175 storage devices, two safes, and other equipment used by the organized group.

The scheme was organized by a foreign national who collaborated with a 48-year-old Uzbek citizen. A criminal case has been opened; two leaders and 18 others have been arrested. Investigations continue regarding the remaining 111 individuals.

The criminal group is also believed to operate call centers in Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. Plans are underway to dismantle the global criminal chain in cooperation with these countries.

Source: kun.uz