Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A telecommunications operator employed by the Tashkent City Department of Justice and born in 1992 in the city of Urgench has become the subject of a criminal case for fraud.

According to the State Security Service (SSS) of Uzbekistan, the suspect promised a resident of the Khanka district assistance in securing employment within the Ministry of Internal Affairs in exchange for a large sum of money, claiming to have influential connections.

It was revealed that the suspect had even established his own “price list”: US$1,500 for entry-level positions and US$2,000 for officer roles. However, during an operation carried out by SSS officers in Khorezm Region, in cooperation with the Department under the Prosecutor General’s Office and internal affairs agencies, the fraudster was caught red-handed. He received US$1,900 and 1,295,000 Uzbek soums through an intermediary.

A similar case was recorded in Kashkadarya Region. An employee of the Karashina Department of the National Guard's Security Directorate was apprehended by officers of the SSS and the Internal Security Service while accepting US$2,000 from a resident of the Kasbi district. In return, he had promised to help the citizen obtain a job at the regional department of internal affairs, again citing fictitious high-level connections.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against both suspects under Articles 168 (Fraud) and 28,211 (Bribery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Investigations are ongoing.