Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A fraudulent scheme related to the sale of Hajj travel packages has been uncovered as a result of an operation carried out by the State Security Service’s Directorate for Syrdarya Region in cooperation with internal affairs authorities.

A staff member of a travel agency registered in Tashkent was detained. Investigators established that the 27-year-old man had taken US$12,800 from two residents of the Bayaut District, promising to organize their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.

A preliminary investigation revealed that two other employees of the same travel agency, born in 1980 and 1994 respectively, were also involved in the illegal activity. Exploiting the trust of citizens, they systematically misled clients by falsely offering assistance with pilgrimage arrangements, thus orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to unlawfully obtain funds.

A criminal case has been initiated under paragraph “a” of part 3 of Article 168 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan — “Fraud committed on a large scale by a group of individuals by prior conspiracy.” A court has ordered the pre-trial detention of two suspects. Investigative actions are ongoing to identify other potential victims and fully document the unlawful activities of the accused.

In a separate operation conducted in the Fergana Region by the regional directorate of the State Security Service in cooperation with the regional internal affairs department, a resident of Margilan born in 1986 was detained. He had received US$11,000 from a resident of the Tashlak District under the pretense of organizing a “blessed pilgrimage” for the Hajj. He was apprehended with material evidence in his possession.

A criminal case has also been opened against this individual under paragraph “a” of part 3 of Article 168 and Article 25 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Investigative procedures are underway.