Uzbekistan foils smuggling of fake dollars from Kyrgyzstan

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SSS), in coordination with law enforcement agencies, has prevented attempts to circulate counterfeit currency in Navoi and Tashkent.

Perpetrators tried to sell fake banknotes brought in from abroad and used fraudulent schemes to deceive citizens, according to Uzbek media reports cited by Caliber.Az.

In Navoi, two men were detained — a 1984-born resident of Namangan Region and his previously convicted accomplice from Jizzakh Region, who resides in the capital. Investigators reported that the counterfeit dollars were transported from Türkiye via Kyrgyzstan.

The suspects were caught attempting to sell $19,900 in $100 bills for $14,000 in genuine money. A criminal case has been opened under Article 176(3)(a) of the Criminal Code, and both are in custody.

A separate case occurred in Tashkent, where a 1997-born resident of Chust District, Namangan Region, attempted to sell a city resident “high-quality” counterfeit money — $10,000 in dollars, 10 million soms in 100,000-som notes, and 5 million soms in 50,000-som notes — for $5,500 in real money.

The Security Service and the Department for Economic Crime Prevention detained the suspect during the transaction, and a criminal investigation is underway.

By Khagan İsayev