Police in Tashkent’s Bektemir district have detained two men, aged 26 and 29, on suspicion of defrauding people through fake rental listings, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said. According to the ministry, the suspects posted advertisements on OLX and Telegram, presented themselves as property owners or real-estate agents and attracted clients with prices several times below the market. More than 10 people are believed to have been affected; the suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Takeaways: Two men aged 26 and 29 were detained in Bektemir district over an alleged rental-fraud scheme. More than 10 victims were allegedly drawn in by below-market listings and asked to pay in advance before contact was cut off. Officers seized eight mobile phones, 15 SIM cards and 16 bank cards; a criminal case was opened under Article 168 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code (Fraud).
Rental fraud is a recurring risk in major urban property markets, where listings move quickly across classified platforms and messaging apps. Fraudsters typically exploit urgency and price pressure: they offer an unusually cheap apartment, push the client to decide fast and request a deposit before a viewing or a written contract. Once the money is transferred, communication stops. Such cases can involve multiple bank cards and phone numbers, which investigators use to trace financial flows and possible additional victims.
According to the Interior Ministry, the suspects allegedly posed as owners or intermediaries and promised favorable rental terms. After receiving advance payments, they stopped answering calls and messages. During a search, police confiscated eight mobile phones, 15 SIM cards and 16 bank cards. A criminal case has been opened under Article 168, which covers fraud. The investigation is continuing, and authorities have not disclosed further details about the suspects or possible accomplices.
The case follows earlier reports from Tashkent about an underground call center whose employees were suspected of involvement in fraudulent activity. Law-enforcement bodies have been paying closer attention to online advertisement channels, payment transfers and the use of multiple SIM cards, which are often used to disguise identity. Investigators are now working to identify other possible victims and to establish whether the same scheme was used in additional episodes.
People searching for rental housing are advised to verify ownership documents, inspect the property before making any payment, sign a written agreement and keep records of correspondence. A price far below the market, combined with demands for an urgent advance transfer, should be treated as a warning sign. Citizens are encouraged to contact the police if they suspect fraud and not to share bank-card details with strangers. Further procedural decisions and any new findings are expected as the investigation proceeds.
Source: podrobno.uz