Uzbekistan uncovers 19 billion soum gas meter fraud
Uzbekistan has launched a criminal investigation after authorities uncovered the embezzlement of 19 billion soums linked to natural gas meter installation and maintenance.
Uzbekistan's Department for Combating Economic Crimes, operating under the Prosecutor General's Office, has exposed a significant scheme involving the misappropriation of public funds. The fraud, totaling 19 billion soums, is linked to the installation and upkeep of natural gas meters. A criminal investigation has been initiated, and authorities are actively pursuing leads.
The pre-investigation inquiry revealed that officials from Hududgazta'minot and Texnopark orchestrated a system of fictitious maintenance for gas meters. This elaborate scheme, according to law enforcement, led to the embezzlement of the aforementioned 19 billion soums from public coffers.
Furthermore, investigators uncovered instances where the readings of 273 Texnopark-manufactured gas meters, installed for consumers by Hududgazta'minot personnel, were deliberately understated. The preliminary financial damage resulting from these actions is estimated at 861.1 million soums.
A criminal case has been filed encompassing all discovered irregularities, and law enforcement agencies are pressing forward with the ongoing investigation.
This revelation follows earlier concerns raised during a presidential meeting focused on critical tasks within the fuel and energy sector. During that meeting, it was highlighted that several regions continue to grapple with issues concerning data transmission from smart electricity and natural gas meters.
Consequently, the amount of outstanding receivables continues to climb. Information presented at the meeting indicated that over four years after the launch of Uzbekistan's automated electricity and gas metering systems (ASKUE and ASKUG), approximately 300,000 gas meters and 234,000 electricity meters remain unable to transmit data.