Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Uzbekistan have uncovered and dismantled an organized group of online fraudsters who deceived citizens under the guise of online trading, according to the Cybersecurity Center’s press service.

The investigation was launched following complaints from several residents of Jizzakh region who fell victim to the scheme. One individual reported losing 20.8 million soums, another 4.8 million, and a third 3.8 million soums. All of them were members of Telegram channels administered by a so-called trader named Abduqodir, who promised to significantly multiply their investments.

As a result of investigative and intelligence operations, authorities identified a criminal network consisting of nine individuals from the Namangan, Tashkent, and Surkhandarya regions. All suspects have been detained.

Searches carried out during the operation yielded a laptop, ten bank cards, ten mobile phones, and other devices used in the illicit activities. A criminal case has been initiated, and the investigation is ongoing to determine whether the suspects are linked to other instances of fraud.