Uzbekistan Detains Suspects in Illegal Migration Cases

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has detained individuals suspected of organizing illegal migration to the United States and the Republic of Korea in exchange for financial payments.

The operations were conducted by the State Security Service in cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

In Chinoz district of Tashkent region, a previously convicted man born in 1969 was detained. According to the investigation, he gained the trust of a Tashkent resident born in 2001 and demanded US$22,000 for arranging a work visa and facilitating travel to the United States through alleged “influential contacts.” He was detained with physical evidence while receiving an advance payment of US$5,000.

A separate case was recorded in Andijan region, where a resident of Isabaskan district born in 1993 is suspected of a similar scheme. He allegedly promised a 26-year-old resident of Asaka city employment in the Republic of Korea and a work visa through “contacts,” demanding US$6,000. He was detained by law enforcement while receiving an advance payment of US$3,000.

Investigators also established that he had previously received money from another citizen, promising assistance in arranging employment in South Korea.

Criminal cases have been opened in both incidents, and investigative actions are ongoing.

The State Security Service urges citizens to report such cases via the short number 1520, guaranteeing anonymity.