Andijan police detain gang accused of armed extortion

According to the report, members of the criminal group tracked an individual involved in exchanging cryptoassets and introduced themselves as law enforcement officers. They summoned the victim to the front of one of the city’s supermarkets, forced him into a Damas vehicle, and threatened him with criminal liability for the illegal circulation of cryptoassets. The suspects used violence and threats, stating that unless $150,000 were transferred to a crypto wallet through an acquaintance, the victim would be prosecuted.

As a result of intimidation and torture, the perpetrators extorted a total of $100,000 in cryptocurrency from the victim and transferred it to a crypto wallet under their control. In connection with this incident, a criminal case has been opened against the group under Article 165, Part 3, Clause “a” (extortion) and Article 176, Part 3, Clause “a” of the Criminal Code.

In addition, during operational investigative measures, it was established that one member of the group used violence against a woman, caused bodily injury, seized her expensive mobile phone, and demanded UZS 10 million. A separate criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 166 of the Criminal Code in relation to this incident.

It was also reported that two members of the criminal group – Minhojiddin Alimov and Abdumalik Shokirov, both born in Andijan in 1995 – have left the territory of Uzbekistan, and a search has been declared to apprehend them. The remaining members of the group are within the country, and during ongoing operational measures additional criminal episodes have been identified, with procedural actions currently being taken against them.

Internal affairs authorities have called on citizens who may have been harmed by this criminal group to contact law enforcement agencies or call the short number 102. The confidentiality of applicants’ identities is guaranteed.