Criminal investigations launched as "Umid Auto Leasing" faces growing complaints

"Umid auto leasing" has been a topic of discussion for some time due to complaints from customers. People who signed contracts with the company were not given their cars on time, and those dissatisfied with the delays were not refunded. A criminal investigation has been launched against the company’s officials. However, despite this, individuals continue to sign contracts with "Umid auto leasing" and fall victim to false promises.

In Uzbekistan, one of the most common forms of fraud involves the buying and selling of cars. Examples of this include the “Avto 60 oy” case, where more than 19,000 people were defrauded of 57 billion UZS in just three months, as well as the cases involving “Mega Auto Leasin” and “Mega Car Leasin.”

For this reason, the Competition Committee has urged citizens to exercise caution when signing contracts with auto leasing companies to avoid falling victim to fraud. The committee also announced that criminal cases have been initiated against officials from several auto leasing firms, and that complaints from defrauded citizens have been increasing. Among these companies are "Umid auto leasing," "Umid lizing Tashkent," "Umid auto," "Umid Avto Tashkent," "Umid Avto lizing," "Mega Avto Leasin-Hamkor," "Mega Avto Leasin," "Samo Rimmax Avto," "Rimmax Auto Leasin," "Ishonch Auto Leasin," "Asr Auto Leasin," "Baraka Avto Baraka Business," and others.

Many people have fallen victim to "Umid auto leasing," having paid for cars but received neither their vehicles nor refunds. These victims have been waiting for several years without resolution. Some of them contacted Kun.uz for assistance.

"I made a payment in April 2023. They promised a discount and claimed to be public servants. I then signed a contract and paid 97 million UZS. By the end of the year, I still hadn’t received any updates about the car. I made 8-9 inquiries. Eventually, it became clear I would not be receiving the car, so on December 13, I submitted a complaint to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

Later, they initially told me my refund would be processed in 40 days. When I followed up, they falsely accused me, saying, 'We offered you three cars, but you didn’t take them.' Then they said they would not refund my money. Afterward, I went to court. The case was transferred to the Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement (BCE) on October 16. The issue is still unresolved," explained one of the complainants.

Several people have made payments for both light and heavy vehicles at various branches of "Umid auto leasing" across the country. One such individual is Sadulla Avazov from Kashkadarya region, who paid for two cars. According to the agreement, both vehicles were supposed to be delivered within two months.

"The promise was that both cars would be delivered within two months. However, even after the two months had passed, I still hadn’t received anything. In March, we went to court, and the case was heard in June. Afterward, we received the court ruling on August 12. When we went to the BCE, they informed us that 103 people had similar complaints. Now only 30 are left. Meanwhile, they had promised that the money would be distributed equally among everyone. Some people have been waiting for their refunds for three years," said Sadulla Avazov.

While victims are still waiting for their cars or refunds from "Umid auto leasing," the company’s officials are reportedly continuing to sign contracts with new clients. One of these is Bekzod Khujamurodov from Khorezm region. He claims to have paid 82 million UZS for a car in March 2024:

"After getting to know the company better, I began working on getting my money back. I filed a complaint with the Yangi Hayot district MIA, where I learned that an investigation had already begun. However, more than three months have passed, and no progress has been made regarding my case. They even asked, 'Why did you pay?'"