Authorities arrest group behind fake car loan scheme that defrauded over 840 people

A criminal group that defrauded 843 people across Uzbekistan by promising to deliver cars through low-interest loans or leasing schemes and misappropriated 50.1 billion UZS has been apprehended. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is urging all victims to call the short number 102.

According to the MIA, the group was involved in large-scale fraud under the pretext of offering vehicles at discounted credit or leasing rates. They operated under various company names and targeted citizens through advertising on social media platforms.

The list of companies used in the scheme includes: “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,” “Busines 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.”

Through these entities, the fraudsters promised cars under favorable terms — 6% to 12% annual interest — and actively operated in regions including Tashkent, Andijan, Namangan, Fergana, Syrdarya, Samarkand, Bukhara, Navoi, Khorezm, Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, and the city of Nukus. They signed advance contracts and illegally appropriated customers’ payments.

As a result of the criminal activity, 843 citizens suffered losses totaling 50.1 billion UZS. During the investigation, authorities seized 339 vehicles linked to the group.

The MIA added that formal charges have been filed against nine individuals, and all have been placed in pretrial detention.

A special rapid-response task force has been established under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Colonel Ramazon Ashrapov. This team, based at the Department of Transport and Tourism Security, is accepting victim complaints daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

The Ministry is asking anyone with information about the individuals or companies shown in the photos — or anyone who may have been victimized in a similar way — to contact the rapid-response team or call 102.

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