The key facts

  • The State Security Service of Uzbekistan intercepted an attempt to sell 7,400 counterfeit US dollars brought from Turkey in Samarkand.
  • Three residents of the Taylak district, aged 30, 24, and 23, were arrested; counterfeit $100 bills were handed to an undercover buyer for 44 million soums.
  • Two of the detainees have prior criminal records; the investigation is determining possible involvement of other individuals.

Arrest in Samarkand

An attempt to sell 7,400 counterfeit US dollars brought from Turkey was intercepted in Samarkand. This was reported by the State Security Service of Uzbekistan. According to the SSS, service officers, together with internal affairs bodies and the customs service, detained three residents of the Taylak district aged 30, 24, and 23.

Deal Details

The detainees handed over counterfeit bills with a face value of $100 to an undercover buyer for 44 million soums. According to the SSS, this amount is less than $3,700—approximately half the nominal value of the bills. Two of the detainees had prior criminal records. An investigation is underway to determine possible involvement of other individuals in the crime.

Similar Cases

The publication recalls other recent cases: in May, two residents of the Namangan region attempted to sell $10,000 in counterfeit bills for $7,500 in real currency. In October, a resident of the Andijan region was arrested while selling counterfeit bills worth 297 million soums for 148 million soums in real currency.