Two Arrested in Tashkent Over $31,200 Visa Fraud Scheme
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Two men have been detained in Tashkent for allegedly taking US$31,200 in exchange for promising to illegally secure entry visas into Uzbekistan for three foreign nationals, the State Security Service announced.
The sting operation was carried out jointly by officers from the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to investigators, a 41-year-old suspect accepted the US$31,200 after claiming he could use personal contacts to illegally arrange the entry visas for the three foreigners. Out of the total sum, the man planned to keep US$4,200 for himself and deliver the remaining US$27,000 to a 66-year-old resident of Tashkent.
Law enforcement officers apprehended the second suspect at the moment he received the US$27,000 portion of the payment.
A criminal case has been opened against both individuals, and an investigation remains ongoing.
