Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Law enforcement officers have uncovered an illegal call centre in Tashkent’s Yakkasaray district, where 23 foreign nationals were found without the required documents. During the inspection, one man offered a preventive inspector a US$1,000 bribe, the Tashkent Department of Internal Affairs reported.
The illegal centre was discovered during an inspection of a residential property. According to the report, law enforcement officers noticed suspicious activity near the building and decided to establish who lived there and who owned the property.
When officers approached one of the men to check his documents, another individual offered the preventive inspector US$1,000. The inspector refused the money and continued the inspection.
During a search of the premises conducted in the presence of witnesses, officers found the foreign nationals. The 23 individuals did not have the required documents. As evidence, officers seized 80 mobile phones, 21 laptops, six routers and 22 passports.
Law enforcement officers also identified cryptocurrency transactions. According to preliminary information, three foreign nationals had repeatedly carried out such transactions without the required licence. Their total volume amounted to approximately 27,900 USDT, equivalent to more than 329 million soums.
The investigative department of the Yakkasaray District Internal Affairs Coordination Directorate has opened a criminal case under Article 278⁸ of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which establishes liability for violations of legislation governing the circulation of crypto-assets.
The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement agencies are establishing the circumstances surrounding the centre’s operations and identifying others who may have been involved.
