Man Arrested in Tashkent for Impersonating SGB Officer and Demanding US$30,000

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement authorities in Tashkent have arrested a man who, posing as an officer of the State Security Service (SGB), demanded US$30,000 from a citizen to “resolve” a criminal case, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The incident occurred in the Yangihayot district. The 51-year-old farm worker misled the victim by promising to positively influence the outcome of an ongoing criminal case in exchange for a large sum of money.

The suspect was caught in the act while receiving an advance payment of US$10,000.

A criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 168, Part 4, Clause “a” (fraud on a particularly large scale) and Article 211, Part 1 (bribery).

Investigative measures are currently underway to fully establish the circumstances of the crime.