Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The head of a company involved in selling apartments in an illegally constructed residential complex was detained in Tashkent. According to the press service of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs, law enforcement authorities have initiated a criminal case on suspicion of large-scale fraud.

Investigation materials indicate that STRONG CITIES was registered on August 11, 2021, but operated without the necessary permits and without notifying the territorial control inspection. Despite this, the company’s founders launched an aggressive advertising campaign, promising the construction of a multi-apartment residential complex.

Taking advantage of citizens’ trust, the company signed purchase agreements for housing for 2023–2024. It was later revealed that payments were made circumventing legal requirements: no separate bank account designated for such transactions was opened, which constitutes a serious violation of construction project regulations.

As a result, the suspects managed to collect significant sums of money from citizens. A criminal case has been initiated under point “a” of part 4 of article 168 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (large-scale fraud). The company’s head has been taken into custody, and investigative actions are ongoing.

Law enforcement agencies urge victims to report any cases of fraud to the Investigative Department by calling 71-206-42-39 or the emergency number 102.

Recall that previously, about 200 people who invested in apartments from STRONG CITIES gathered near the Tashkent city administration, expressing concern that the company head might have embezzled around 5 billion soms and fled abroad.