Criminal case against “Credit House” sent to court as fraud charges mount

The criminal case linked to “Credit House” and “In Fin Stroy Invest,” companies that allegedly promised easy access to affordable housing in Tashkent, has been submitted to court for substantive review following the completion of the preliminary investigation. According to a document from the Prosecutor General’s Office dated 8 November 2025, nine individuals have been formally charged in connection with the scheme.

The exact number of victims and the total financial damage have not been officially disclosed. However, sources familiar with the case told Kun.uz that the number of affected citizens could reach several thousand, with potential losses exceeding UZS 1 trillion.

Nine individuals face multiple serious charges

Among the defendants are Bakhtiyor Amzaev, Dmitry Bazhenov, Robiya Galyamova, Klara Talipova, Gayrat Mirkamalov and Bahrom Hikmatullaev. They have been charged under several articles of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, including:

• Article 168, part 4 (“a, v”): large-scale fraud committed by an organized group
• Article 170, part 2 (“a, v”): causing property damage
• Article 177, part 4 (“a, b”): illegal circulation of large quantities of foreign currency
• Article 178, part 3: concealing foreign currency
• Article 184, part 3: large-scale tax evasion
• Article 189: violation of trade or service provision regulations
• Article 192¹¹, part 2 (“a, b”): abuse of authority within a non-state commercial organization
• Article 243: legalization of proceeds from criminal activity

In addition, Alisher Shamsiddinov, as well as Shoira Rahimova and Shukhrat Mahamadov, have been charged under similar provisions relating to fraud, property damage, illegal currency transactions, abuse of authority and money laundering.

Thousands may have been defrauded

Although detailed findings of the investigation have not been made public, earlier reports indicated that the housing scheme attracted thousands of citizens with promises of low-cost home purchases.

In March, more than 860 individuals were officially recognized as victims in preliminary findings published in the Interior Ministry’s “Kriminal” program. At that stage, the total damage was estimated at UZS 182 billion.

Following heightened public concern, a special task force was established, and the case was transferred to the Interior Ministry’s Investigative Department for further action.

Defendant previously escaped custody in Russia

One of the key defendants, Dmitry Bazhenov, had previously been reported by foreign media to have escaped from a Moscow detention facility in 2009 after appearing in court on behalf of his cellmate. He allegedly remained at large for about a year before being detained again near the Proletarskaya metro station in Moscow in August 2010. Bazhenov is now identified as one of the detained officials of “Credit House.”

Kun.uz previously requested additional information from the Interior Ministry regarding the investigation but did not receive a response.

The Tashkent City Court will now review the case – one of the largest alleged fraud schemes involving housing promises in recent years.