The key facts

  • In Samarkand, a representative of a family enterprise demanded $3,450 for sending three people on Umrah and was detained while receiving $3,000
  • In the Namangan region, the head of an LLC promised to send a citizen on Umrah for $1,350 and was detained while receiving an advance payment of $1,200
  • A criminal case has been opened in the first case; a pre-investigation check is underway in the second

Two cases of fraud under the pretext of pilgrimage

The State Security Service of Uzbekistan reported offenses identified in the Samarkand and Namangan regions involving individuals who promised to send citizens on the Umrah pilgrimage and demanded money for it. The detentions were carried out jointly by officers of the State Security Service and internal affairs bodies.

Case in Samarkand

In the city of Samarkand, a representative of an operating family enterprise, without having the appropriate authority, promised to send a citizen and two of his relatives on the Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and demanded $3,450 for this. He was detained with material evidence at the moment of receiving $3,000 of the demanded amount. A criminal case has been opened on this fact, and initial investigative actions are being carried out.

Case in the Namangan region

In the Namangan district, the head of a limited liability company promised to illegally send a citizen residing in the Uchkurgan district on the Umrah pilgrimage and demanded $1,350 from him. The detention took place while receiving an advance payment of $1,200. Pre-investigation verification actions are currently being carried out on this fact.