Large-Scale Counterfeit US Dollar Ring Smashed in Namangan Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A joint large-scale special operation by law enforcement agencies in the Namangan region has disrupted the activities of a criminal group engaged in the sale of large quantities of counterfeit foreign currency. The distribution of fake banknotes poses a direct threat to the economic security of the state, and Uzbekistan's national legislation prescribes strict criminal penalties for the manufacturing, storage, transportation, and sale of counterfeit money.

As a result of coordinated actions by the regional departments of the State Security Service (SSS) for the Tashkent and Namangan regions, along with local officers from the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor's Office, three citizens were detained. The suspects include two residents of the Yangikurgan district, born in 1992 and 1995, and a resident of the Turakurgan district, born in 1980.

According to investigative authorities, the detained individuals had established a scheme to sell counterfeit $100 US bills totaling $100,000. The criminals expected to receive $40,000 in genuine US currency for this batch of counterfeits. The suspects were caught red-handed and detained during the transaction phase, as they attempted to trade the bulk of the shipment—$80,000 in fakes—for the agreed-upon $40,000 in legitimate currency.

During the preliminary investigation, operatives determined that the seized high-quality counterfeit banknotes were printed outside of Uzbekistan and subsequently smuggled into the country through roundabout border routes. A criminal case has been officially initiated regarding the incident. The detainees are currently under investigation as authorized bodies continue comprehensive investigative procedures to trace all supply routes.