Law enforcement authorities arrest Tashkent man for $12,000 fraud over false job promises abroad

Law enforcement authorities in Tashkent have detained a man accused of defrauding three individuals by falsely promising to secure jobs for them in the United Kingdom.

Photo: Department under the Prosecutor

The suspect, identified as S.U., reportedly gained the trust of victims, including a person identified as D.N., by claiming he could arrange jobs in the UK and facilitate visa issuance through his contacts. He collected a total of $12,000 from the victims before being caught during a joint operation conducted by the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, the State Security Service (SSS), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Evidence was seized during his arrest.

A criminal case has been initiated against S.U. under Articles 168 (fraud) and 28, 211 (bribery) of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code. Investigations are ongoing.

This is not the only fraud case recorded in the past months. Recently:

• In Tashkent, a person was charged for defrauding $7,400 under the pretense of arranging employment in Japan.
• In Samarkand, another individual deceived four people, promising jobs in Poland and fraudulently collecting $10,700.
• Similar cases of fraudulent schemes involving promises of overseas employment have also been reported in Jizzakh and other regions.

To address such scams, Uzbekistan’s President recently issued a decree titled “On Additional Measures to Regulate Employment Abroad.” Starting November 1, 2024, all job offers from foreign employers must be transparently advertised via the Migration Agency’s electronic platform, mass media, and social networks.