In the course of the next operational search event conducted by the Information Technology Department of the Tashkent Region IIBB and its sub-systems, a criminal group that opened fake channels and groups in the name of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Telegram and Instagram social networks and embezzled citizens' funds was exposed and the members of the group were arrested.
According to the preliminary investigation, 5 persons aged 22-25 years living in Andijan region made a mutual criminal plan and created channels and groups on the Telegram and Instagram networks under the names "Confiscated goods" and "Optom sklad" in the name of the customs system. Also, in the groups, they introduced themselves as system employees through about a dozen fake accounts such as "Customs Committee admin", "Ishonch siz bilan".
They offer home appliances, refrigerators and TVs, boilers, kitchen and children's furniture, various gadgets, including the latest iPhone models, and clothing at very low prices, promising to deliver even motorbikes that don't actually exist. A certain part of the payments was received through bank cards issued in the names of others.
As a result, it was found that the members of the criminal group gained the trust of a total of 60 citizens before the preliminary investigation, fraudulently embezzled 117 million soums and spent the money for personal needs. Victims who requested the product or contacted back were left unanswered and blacklisted on social networks.
Currently, a criminal case has been initiated against the members of the criminal group in connection with this situation, and a preventive measure of "imprisonment" has been applied. In addition, investigative actions are being continued and measures are being taken to compensate the material damages caused to citizens.
Our own reporter.