Tashkent Cyberfraud Network Targeted Western Investors

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service have dismantled a large criminal network in Tashkent suspected of cyberfraud against citizens of European and North American countries. The operation was carried out as part of the "Safe and Healthy Country" initiative.

According to preliminary data, the participants in the scheme offered foreign citizens opportunities to invest funds in high-yield investment and cryptocurrency projects, after which they misappropriated the received money.

Young people fluent in foreign languages, including students from prestigious universities, were recruited to communicate with potential victims. Each of them made hundreds of phone calls daily.

During the operational measures, two call centers were identified in Tashkent. One of them was located on the sixth floor of a business center in the Yashnabad district, where 97 people were present, including five foreign citizens.

The second call center was discovered on the 11th floor of a business center in the Yakkasaray district. It employed 34 people, including three foreign citizens.

According to the investigation, the call centers operated under a multi-level structure consisting of managers, organizers, assistants, team leaders, and operators. Phishing links promising returns of up to 70% per month were used to search for potential victims.

Using spoofed phone numbers, the suspects contacted citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other countries. They introduced themselves as traders and persuaded victims to transfer cryptocurrency assets under the guise of investments.

The investigation also established that the employees underwent special training, observed conspiracy measures, and used pseudonyms when communicating with foreign clients. Access to the offices was controlled, and guards were permanently stationed at the entrances.

During the special operation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of computers, mobile phones, hard drives, safes, and other equipment.

According to the investigation, the alleged organizer of the criminal scheme is a foreign citizen who operated together with a citizen of Uzbekistan.

Both suspects, as well as eight other alleged participants in the group, have been arrested. In addition, 10 more suspects have been taken into custody, while operational, search, and investigative measures are being conducted regarding the remaining 111 individuals.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the incident. Currently, appropriate requests to European and North American countries are being prepared through the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Interpol National Central Bureau.