Police in Uzbekistan’s capital say they have uncovered an alleged underground operation in a private house in Tashkent’s Yakkasaray district, where 23 foreign nationals were living without proper documents and were suspected of involvement in fraudulent schemes targeting money and property. The case came to light during a recent inspection after a suspect allegedly offered a $1,000 bribe to a prevention inspector; a subsequent search of the house reportedly produced dozens of electronic devices, passports and evidence of unlicensed crypto-asset trading.
Key Takeaways: Authorities say 23 foreign nationals lacked the required documents at the Yakkasaray house; an inspector refused a $1,000 bribe offer. Police reportedly seized 80 mobile phones, 21 laptops, 6 Wi-Fi routers and 22 passports; three foreigners allegedly conducted unlicensed crypto transactions worth 27,910 USDT, equivalent to more than 329 million soum.
The case highlights growing pressure on migration controls, fraud prevention and crypto-asset regulation in Uzbekistan. As digital assets become more widely used, authorities have been tightening rules around licensed exchanges and financial operations, while law-enforcement bodies continue to monitor undocumented foreign nationals and informal financial activity. The reported combination of alleged fraud, a bribery attempt and unlicensed crypto trading underscores how different types of illegal activity can overlap in rented or private residential premises, making inspections and inter-agency coordination more important.
According to the Tashkent city police press service, officers noticed a suspicious citizen while conducting an inspection of the house and surrounding area. As they sought to clarify information about residents, the property owner and identity documents, another citizen came out and allegedly offered the prevention inspector $1,000. The officer refused the bribe, prompting a fuller search. Officers then found five to six foreign nationals in each room; further checks established that 23 foreigners in the house did not have the relevant documents.
The operative inspection was carried out in the presence of witnesses. As material evidence, police seized 80 mobile phones, 21 laptops, 6 Wi-Fi routers and 22 passports. In addition, authorities say they stopped the activity of a group linked to crypto assets: three foreign nationals, allegedly without a licence, repeatedly bought and sold crypto assets through online crypto exchanges. The total volume of their crypto operations was 27,910 USDT, equivalent to more than 329 million soum.
The investigative department of the Yakkasaray district police has opened a criminal case under Article 278-8 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, covering violations of legislation on crypto-asset circulation. Investigative actions are ongoing. The next stage is expected to establish a full legal assessment of all circumstances, including the alleged bribery attempt, possible fraud-related activity and migration violations; final conclusions have not yet been announced.
Source: uznews.uz