“Cyber Bunker” Used by Fraud Group Exposed in Tashkent

During an operational search conducted by the Department for Combating Information Technology Crimes of the Tashkent Region Police Department, an illegal call center, described as a “cyber bunker,” was discovered on the fourth floor of an apartment building in the Shaykhantahur district.

According to a preliminary investigation, D. Kh., a native of Fergana Region born in 2005 with no previous criminal record, and his accomplices called citizens and falsely told them that they had won a “company promotion” organized by the Uzum Market shopping app.

The fraudsters asked victims to pay for the prize and transfer money from their available credit or microloan limits to the accounts of individual entrepreneurs “ALVION,” “MEGA TECNO,” and “MEGA SHOP.” In return, they promised to deliver household appliances that the victims had supposedly won in the promotion.

The group also registered as sellers on an online marketplace. Some customers who demanded delivery or complained about their orders were deliberately sent very cheap, low-quality, or completely different products.

This was used to distract the victims, allowing the fraudsters to take money from their credit or microloan limits. After the money was transferred, the criminals usually stopped communicating with the victims.

The investigation found that five operators worked at the “cyber bunker” in Shaykhantahur district. They called hundreds of citizens using fake online stores on social media.

According to preliminary information, the group illegally obtained more than 300 million soums from over 110 people.

During the operation, investigators seized 10 computer sets, eight mobile phones, 150 sheets containing personal data, tables with information about credit limits provided through the Uzum Nasiya app, and two notebooks as material evidence.

Preliminary investigative and operational measures are currently underway to determine whether the group was involved in similar fraud cases in other regions of the country and to establish and compensate the amount of financial damage caused to citizens.