Uzbekistan uncovers 19 billion soum gas meter fraud
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office has uncovered the embezzlement of public funds related to the installation and maintenance of natural gas meters. According to the agency, a criminal case has been opened and investigative actions are underway.
A pre-investigation inquiry found that officials of Hududgazta'minot and Texnopark organized a scheme involving fictitious maintenance of gas meters. According to law enforcement authorities, the scheme resulted in the embezzlement of 19 billion soums in public funds.
Investigators also identified cases in which the readings of 273 Texnopark-manufactured gas meters installed for consumers by Hududgazta'minot employees had been understated. The preliminary damage caused by these actions is estimated at 861.1 million soums.
A criminal case has been opened in connection with all identified incidents. Law enforcement authorities are continuing the investigation.
As noted earlier during a presidential meeting on priority tasks in the fuel and energy sector, a number of regions continue to face problems with data transmission from smart electricity and natural gas meters.
As a result, outstanding receivables continue to increase.
According to the information presented at the meeting, more than four years after the launch of Uzbekistan's automated electricity and gas metering systems (ASKUE and ASKUG), around 300,000 gas meters and 234,000 electricity meters are still not transmitting data.
