Car fraud scheme uncovered: Over 800 victims, 50 billion soums in damages

A group of individuals operating across various regions of Uzbekistan has been detained for defrauding citizens by promising to deliver cars at low interest rates. This was reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

According to the report, the group advertised on social media, claiming they could deliver any type of car at interest rates ranging from 6 to 12 percent. To facilitate their fraudulent activities, they registered multiple limited liability companies (LLCs) in Tashkent and other regions, including Andijan, Namangan, Fergana, Syrdarya, Samarkand, Bukhara, Navoi, Khorezm, Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, and Nukus.

The companies operated under names such as “Umid Avto Companies,” “Umid Savdo Fayz Invest,” “Umid Avto Lizing,” “Umid Auto,” “Group Of Companies Ual,” “Umid Avto-Tashkent,” “Orient Auto,” “Umid Lizing Tashkent,” “Orient Avto-Lizing,” “Umid Auto Leasing,” “Group Of Orient Auto,” “Imkon Auto Xizmati,” “Business Orientauto,” “Umid Auto Xizmati,” “Orient Auto Hamkor,” “Imkon Avto Markaz,” “Avtovariant,” “Ava Orientauto,” “Ava Umidavto,” “Avto Ijara Hizmati,” “Umid Auto Business Toshkent,” “Orient Auto Leasing,” “Orient Auto Toshkent,” “Ilgor Lizing,” and “Orient Finans Lizing.”

The fraudsters signed advance contracts with customers, promising to deliver vehicles within 120 days. However, they failed to fulfill the terms and embezzled the funds received from citizens.

A criminal case was initiated under Article 168, Part 4, Subparagraphs “a” and “c” of the Criminal Code. So far, 843 individuals have been identified as victims, with total damages amounting to 50.1 billion soums. Authorities have seized 339 vehicles belonging to the fraudulent companies. Nine suspects have been charged, and arrest measures have been applied.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that a special operational headquarters has been established under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Colonel Ramazon Ashropov. The headquarters operates daily from 09:00 to 21:00 at the building of the Department for Ensuring Security at Transport and Tourism Facilities.

Citizens who have information about the criminal activities of the detained individuals, or those affected by the fraudulent activities of the listed companies, are urged to contact the emergency headquarters or call the short number 102.