Uzbek Man Detained Over Alleged US Travel Scam

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek law enforcement officers have detained a 25-year-old man from Namangan Region on suspicion of fraud after he allegedly promised to arrange a person's travel to the United States, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

According to the ministry, the suspect gained the trust of a person intending to travel to the United States and demanded US$50,000 in exchange for organizing the trip.

He invited the victim to a café to receive the money. The suspect was detained by law enforcement officers while allegedly accepting an advance payment of US$20,000.

The ministry said the man had previously been convicted of fraud involving an especially large amount.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 168, Part 4(a) of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code, which covers fraud committed on an especially large scale.

The suspect has been remanded in custody and the investigation is ongoing.