“Cars were released early for cash”: Convicted former dealership employee reveals alleged pay-to-skip car queue scheme

A woman serving a prison sentence in Uzbekistan has described an alleged cash-based scheme at a car dealership, where customers reportedly paid extra money outside official channels to receive vehicles faster, according to testimony shared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ prison department in cooperation with Kun.uz.

Malika Akbarova, who is serving a 5-year and 1-month prison sentence under Article 168, Part 4 of the Criminal Code, described from prison how she said the system operated at the dealership.

She said customers paid cash directly to employees in exchange for faster vehicle delivery, bypassing official cashier payments, with the money later passed on to management.

Akbarova highlighted that the dealership operated an informal practice known as “levy cars,” under which selected customers could receive vehicles ahead of schedule in exchange for additional cash payments.

“In the dealership where I worked, cars were sometimes released early to acquaintances. Then suddenly, cars that had been regularly available stopped being issued,” she said.

She added that managers introduced staff to these clients, and employees would hand over 50% of the money received directly to their bosses in cash. These transactions were referred to as “levy cars,” meaning vehicles released ahead of schedule. According to her, the employees did not retain most of the payments.

“The managers took the money but did not give us our share properly. Because of this, an investigation against me began in June 2024,” she said.

Akbarova said she was later assigned a financial claim of UZS 1,775,617,500.

Cash payments outside official channels

Malika Akbarova said that customers were given waiting periods of several months, but some were offered earlier delivery in exchange for cash payments.

“They did not pay at the cashier – they handed cash directly to us. I would take it and pass it on to my superiors. We then issued receipts,” she added.

She added that payments were later pooled and distributed among management.

According to her, informal payments varied depending on vehicle type, with Cobalt and Lacetti models reportedly costing nearly $800–900 in additional payments, while Damas vehicles were around $500–600.

Akbarova said she was not the only employee involved, adding that others across the dealership, including administrative staff, were also engaged in similar practices.

Investigation and consequences

Akbarova noted that the investigation into her began in June 2024, following customers’ complaints.

She said she had received only a small share of the payments compared with management-level participants.

Family impact and detention

Akbarova noted that she had worked to support her mother and younger brother and did not anticipate criminal proceedings. She recalled her arrest in Tashkent, saying her brother ran after the transport vehicle during her transfer.

“My younger brother ran after the bus shouting: ‘Open the door, give me back my sister,’” she said.

She highlighted that her mother later developed diabetes, which she linked to the stress of the case.

Time in custody

Malika Akbarova said she spent 12.5 months in detention reflecting on her actions.

“I had a lot of time to read, reflect, and understand where I went wrong. I learned who my real friends and enemies were,” she noted.

She highlighted that she regretted the impact on her family, including her mother, brother, and grandmother.

“I made my mother ill. I made my 72-year-old grandmother suffer. I embarrassed my brother in front of his friends. I will answer for my own mistakes, but they are not guilty,” she said.

Education and missed opportunities

Akbarova said she previously worked at the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sports before leaving for the dealership job.

She noted that she had been encouraged to apply for university, but did not pursue it.

“If I had stayed, I would have studied and worked – my life would have been different,” she said.

Akbarova said she now views freedom differently.

“Every person living in freedom should value it. They should think about every step they take, and about their families,” she concluded.