The key facts

  • 72 people working in two underground call centers were detained in Mirabad district of Tashkent
  • Seized: $110,000 in cash, 95 laptops, 330 phones, three Starlink devices
  • A case has been opened under Article 278-8 of the Criminal Code — violation of legislation in the sphere of crypto asset turnover

Two call centers in Mirabad district

The Tashkent City Police Department (GUVD) reported the detention of 72 people during operational measures against two underground call centers operating in Mirabad district of the capital. The first was located in a private house on Fargona-1 street, rented for $9,000 per month: 52 people were detained there. The second operated on Katta Mirabad street in premises rented for $2,000 per month, where 20 people were detained.

What the groups were doing

According to the investigation, members of the first group accepted and processed transactions using bank cards on behalf of underground online casinos and illegal bookmakers popular in Asian countries — in effect, this amounted to laundering proceeds from illegal activities. From these premises, $110,000 in cash, 71 laptops, 278 mobile phones, and three Starlink satellite internet devices were seized.

Fraud schemes: differing descriptions

The second group, according to GUVD, was engaged in internet fraud: its members posed as women, gained men's trust, and took their money under various pretexts. The outlet Zamon.uz, however, describes the scheme as fraud through the distribution of fake job offers on the internet. From this address, 24 laptops, a tablet, 52 phones, and four Wi-Fi routers were seized. Both groups had a hierarchy with a division of duties between leaders, managers, operators, and guards.

Seized assets and the criminal case

Law enforcement agencies recorded crypto asset turnover totaling $576,000 connected to the activities of both groups. Based on the identified facts, a criminal case has been opened under Article 278-8 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan ('Violation of legislation in the sphere of crypto asset turnover'); investigative actions are ongoing. GUVD also warned property owners of the need to vet tenants and formalize rental agreements in accordance with the law, reminding that creating conditions for the activities of criminal groups may entail liability.