Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Law enforcement authorities have shut down an illegal call centre in Tashkent whose participants allegedly engaged in fraud aimed at obtaining clients’ property.
During an operation in Yakkasaray District, authorities identified 23 foreign nationals who were staying in Uzbekistan illegally.
According to footage released by law enforcement agencies, suspicions arose after an officer spoke with a person leaving the building where the call centre was located. During the conversation, the person offered the officer a bribe of US$1,000. The officer refused the money and reported the suspicious activity.
During an inspection of the residential building, conducted in the presence of witnesses, four to five people were found in each room. A total of 23 foreign nationals were inside the premises.
The operation was carried out by officers of the Cybercrime Department of the Tashkent Main Department of Internal Affairs. As evidence, they seized 80 mobile phones, 21 laptops, six Wi-Fi routers and 22 passports.
Law enforcement officials also identified cryptocurrency transactions. According to preliminary information, three foreign nationals had repeatedly bought and sold crypto-assets through online exchanges without obtaining the required licence.
The total transaction volume amounted to 27,910.21 USDT. The original footage gives the value in national currency as “329 million 16 million soums”, but this figure contains an apparent error. The reliable amount in soums therefore cannot be established from the available information.
A criminal case has been opened by the investigative unit under the Yakkasaray District Internal Affairs Coordination Department under the relevant provisions of Part Two of Article 278⁸ of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code.
Initial investigative proceedings are ongoing.
