Tashkent bank employee helped fraudsters steal $90K in elaborate scam

On June 18, the Head of the Retail Services Department at Tenge Bank submitted a formal complaint to the Head of the Yashnobod District Department for Coordinating Internal Affairs Operations. The complaint reported that unknown individuals had illegally withdrawn $90,000 from the bank.

Following an immediate investigation, authorities discovered that several individuals had entered the bank on the same day, posing as customers. They manipulated the POS terminal by inputting false information, allowing them to withdraw $90,000 from various bank cards.

Swift operational and technical measures led to the identification and arrest of all members of the criminal group involved in the scheme.

One of the detained suspects confessed:

“About a year ago, I got involved in various Telegram groups, where I communicated with different Chinese individuals. Through them, I got access to programs and fraudulent schemes shared in criminal groups. I tested these programs in different stores and eventually moved forward with the plan.

“I found a bank employee who agreed to cooperate. With their help, we entered the bank and withdrew $90,000 using the program. I deeply regret what I did. Let this be a lesson — don’t get involved in such things. Easy money doesn't exist.”

During the special operation, law enforcement seized 12 mobile phones, a POS terminal, 9 bank cards, 1,670,000 UZS, and $36,495 in cash as material evidence.

In total, 9 individuals were detained under Article 221 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Procedure Code. Investigative and search operations are currently ongoing.