Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan has initiated a criminal case concerning large‑scale fraud perpetrated by a group of individuals who established a number of fictitious car‑leasing companies in Tashkent and several other regions.

According to official reports, the group—whose members appear in widely circulated photographs—used social media campaigns to set up limited‑liability companies under various names, including Umid Avto Companies, Umid Savdo Fayz Invest, Umid Avto Lizing, Orient Auto, Ilgor Lizing, Avto Ijara Xizmati, and others. These entities offered citizens the opportunity to purchase vehicles at artificially low interest rates ranging from 6 to 12 percent by signing preliminary (advance) agreements.

Despite promises to deliver the vehicles within 120 days, the terms of these contracts were never fulfilled, and the funds received from clients were embezzled by the scheme’s organizers. The investigation has revealed that 843 individuals were defrauded, with total losses amounting to 50.1 billion soms. As part of the inquiry, 339 vehicles registered to the implicated organizations have been seized. Nine individuals have been formally charged and remanded in custody.

To coordinate further investigative and preventive measures, a Special Operational Headquarters has been established under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Colonel Ramazon Ashropov. The headquarters operates daily from 09:00 to 21:00 at the Department for Transport and Tourism Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Anyone with information about the unlawful activities of these individuals, as well as victims of similar schemes, is urged to contact the Special Operational Headquarters at 62 Taras Shevchenko Street or by calling (71) 256‑79‑39 (or dialing 102).