SSS arrests scammers offering illegal migration to the U.S. via Mexico

An operational event was conducted in Tashkent City with the cooperation of the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office.

In one incident, an individual from Namangan City was caught receiving 334 million UZS from a citizen residing in Altinsay district, Surkhandarya region. The individual promised to send the citizen to the United States via the “Tashkent-Istanbul-Madrid-Tijuana” route and to process the necessary visa documents through high-ranking acquaintances.

In another case, SSS officers, in cooperation with the prosecutor's office and internal affairs agencies, conducted an operational event in Chinaz district, Tashkent region. An individual demanded $42,000 USD for processing documents and obtaining visas for three citizens to travel to the U.S., receiving an advance of $28,800 USD, and was apprehended with material evidence.

In Samarkand City, an individual from Navoiy City was deceived into trusting a person who promised to process visa and other necessary documents in their name and to send them to the United States via a circuitous route through “Turkey-European countries-Mexico” for $17,500 USD. The individual was caught with $6,000 USD in advance payment by the SSS's regional office in Navoiy and the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office.

In another incident, an individual from Urgut district, Samarkand region, demanded $19,000 USD to send a citizen from Uchkuduk district to the U.S. via Turkey and Mexico and to arrange employment there. The individual was caught with $6,200 USD in advance payment.

A resident of Sharof Rashidov district promised a citizen from Jizzakh City to send them to the U.S. for employment, despite not having the authority to do so. Initially, in April-May 2023, the individual received $14,300 USD and sent the citizen to South Africa, leaving them stranded. They then demanded an additional $6,700 USD from the citizen's father to rectify the situation and facilitate the transfer to the U.S.

The individual was caught receiving the requested money during an operational event conducted by SSS officers in Jizzakh region in cooperation with internal affairs agencies.

Currently, criminal cases have been initiated against these individuals under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and investigative actions are underway.