Uzbekistan has reported new fraud cases linked to employment in South Korea as investigators continue examining a wider migration corruption scheme estimated to have caused up to $90 million in losses.
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office said a suspect identified as H.S. was detained in Kashkadarya Region after allegedly promising two citizens assistance in obtaining South Korean work visas.
Officials said he demanded 165 million soums (about $13,000) for the service and was arrested while allegedly receiving $7,000. A criminal case has been opened on fraud charges.
In a separate case in Jizzakh Region, another suspect identified as K.Z. was detained while allegedly receiving $3,000 from a citizen seeking employment in South Korea.
Authorities said the suspect had requested a total of $8,000, claiming he could arrange visas and employment through contacts in the Migration Agency.
The latest arrests follow the exposure of a much larger illegal scheme involving former employees of the former Agency for External Labour Migration and private recruitment agencies.
According to the Department, members of the group allegedly collected illegal payments ranging from $7,000 to $12,000 from citizens hoping to secure jobs in South Korea.
While initial investigations identified more than $263,000 illegally obtained from 35 people, investigators now estimate the total losses at around $90 million.
Authorities said more than 600 citizens who paid money through the scheme ultimately failed to secure jobs abroad.
Earlier, prosecutors also announced the detention of a group led by the previously convicted founder of a training centre in Surkhandarya Region.
Investigators allege the group collected more than $408,000 from six citizens in exchange for promises of overseas employment in South Korea.
Law enforcement authorities have urged anyone affected by the schemes to contact investigators as the probe continues.
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