Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Police in Tashkent have shut down two illegal call centres linked to online fraud and unlawful financial operations, detaining 72 people and identifying crypto asset transactions worth US$576,000, the capital’s police department said.
Both centres operated in Mirabad district and were uncovered by officers from the Tashkent police department’s cybercrime unit.
The first call centre was located in a private house on Fargona-1 Street, rented for US$9,000. Officers detained 52 people during an operation at the premises.
According to law enforcement authorities, members of the group carried out illegal bank card transactions on behalf of underground online casinos and illegal betting operators.
During a search, officers seized US$110,000 in cash, 71 laptops, 278 mobile phones and three Starlink satellite internet devices.
The second call centre was found in premises on Katta Mirabad Street, rented for US$2,000. Another 20 people were present there.
Investigators believe this group was involved in online fraud. Its members allegedly posed as women, contacted men online and gained their trust before asking them for money under various pretexts.
Officers seized 24 laptops, a tablet, 52 mobile phones and four Wi-Fi routers at the second location.
The police department said both groups had an internal hierarchy, with responsibilities divided among managers, supervisors, operators and security guards.
According to law enforcement authorities, crypto asset transactions linked to the groups totalled US$576,000.
A criminal case has been opened under Article 278-8 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which concerns violations of legislation governing crypto asset transactions. Investigative proceedings are continuing.
The Tashkent police department also urged property owners to check the activities of their tenants and formalise rental agreements in accordance with established procedures. It warned that providing premises for criminal groups could result in legal liability.
