Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a large-scale fraud and corruption scheme linked to labour migration to South Korea, with estimated damages reaching $90 million.
According to investigators, the operation involved former employees of the Agency for External Labour Migration - now the Migration Agency - as well as former officials from private recruitment companies.
Authorities say members of the group illegally collected large sums of money from Uzbek citizens by promising employment opportunities in South Korea.
Investigators said that, alongside official fees, members of the scheme charged migrants between $7,000 and $12,000 for assistance with overseas employment.
During the initial investigation, officials found that the group had illegally obtained more than $263,500 from 35 citizens. However, the investigation later revealed a far wider alleged fraud.
In one case cited by prosecutors, more than 230 citizens reportedly paid a combined $580,000 for supposed employment assistance. In another, around 1,000 migrants allegedly paid a total of $5.6 million.
Authorities say more than 600 citizens who paid money ultimately failed to travel to South Korea for work.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has urged all potential victims to contact law enforcement through a special hotline, adding that the identities of applicants will remain confidential.
Meanwhile, former head of Uzbekistan’s migration office in South Korea, Azizbek Toshtemirov, has been placed on an international wanted list through Interpol.
According to information published on the Interpol website, Toshtemirov is wanted on fraud charges. The Migration Agency said he previously headed the agency’s South Korea representative office and was dismissed in March 2025 over various violations.
The wanted notice follows the wider investigation into the alleged labour migration corruption network.
Authorities also reported uncovering another migration-related fraud scheme in Surkhandarya Region.
According to investigators, the previously convicted founder of a private educational institution and several accomplices promised six residents employment opportunities in South Korea.
The suspects allegedly received a combined $408,800 from victims. Criminal proceedings have been launched under Uzbekistan’s fraud legislation.
Officials said investigations into both cases are ongoing.
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People travelling between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan could soon be able to pay for purchases using their usual banking apps. Central banks from the five countries are working on linking their national payment systems.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
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