Over 100 Fraudulent Traders Deceiving Foreigners Arrested in Tashkent

Over 100 Fraudulent Traders Deceiving Foreigners Arrested in Tashkent

In Tashkent, authorities shut down two major illegal call centers that had been defrauding foreign citizens and misappropriating their crypto assets. During the operation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Cybercrime Department, and the State Security Service, 97 individuals were identified in a business center in Yashnabad district, and 34 in an office in Yakkasaroy district. Foreign nationals were among them. According to investigators, operators called citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark, posing as professional traders. They promised returns of up to 70% per month and used phishing links to seize victims’ funds, making it appear as though they were being invested in crypto assets. Young people proficient in foreign languages, including students from prestigious universities, were recruited into the illegal activity. Searches resulted in the seizure of 136 computers, 90 monitors, 73 processors, 53 all‑in‑one PCs, 320 phones, 128 hard drives, 175 storage devices, two safes, and other equipment used in the crimes. The scheme was organized by a foreign national in cooperation with a citizen of Uzbekistan. So far, two leaders of the group and 16 other suspects have been arrested. Investigations and inquiries continue regarding the remaining 111 individuals.