Law enforcement authorities in Tashkent have successfully thwarted a high-profile extortion scheme involving the fraudulent promise of land allocation for residential construction. According to official reports from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the suspect attempted to exploit connections to secure illegal permits.

The investigation revealed that a native of the Khorezm region, born in 1970, allegedly promised to legalize the construction of residential buildings on a 4-hectare plot, which is part of a larger 9-hectare non-residential property located in the picturesque Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region. The perpetrator reportedly convinced the victim that he had influential acquaintances working within the Cadastre Agency.

The suspect claimed he could leverage bribery to secure official approvals and permissions for future housing development in the restricted area. In exchange for these supposed services, he allegedly demanded a total of 840,000 US dollars, initially asking for an upfront payment of 100,000 dollars followed by an additional 740,000 dollars.

Officers from the Main Department for Operational-Search Activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted a targeted special operation in the Yunusabad district of Tashkent. The suspect was apprehended red-handed while in the process of receiving the initial installment of 100,000 dollars.

Legal proceedings have been officially initiated regarding the incident under Articles 168 (Fraud) and 28, 211 (Complicity in Bribery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Further investigative actions are currently underway to uncover the full scope of the illegal activity.

Source: kun.uz