Fraudsters arrested in Tashkent and Fergana for allegedly sending people for Umrah

Two individuals who deceived citizens by promising to organize Umrah pilgrimages were detained in Tashkent and Fergana. The State Security Service (SSS) reported that criminal cases have been initiated against these individuals.

A person born in 1981 in Tashkent, without having the appropriate license, introduced himself as a representative of a travel company authorized to organize Umrah pilgrimages. He demanded a total of $3,450 in exchange for sending three citizens to Saudi Arabia and ensuring their full performance of the sacred rites. During an operational operation conducted in cooperation with the SSS, the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, and the internal affairs bodies, this individual was detained with material evidence while receiving $3,400 and 600,000 soums.

In Fergana, another person born in 1998 promised to send four citizens on an Umrah pilgrimage through his acquaintances and demanded a total of $4,200. While he was receiving the requested money, his illegal actions were stopped by officers of the State Security Service and the Internal Affairs Department.

Currently, criminal cases have been initiated against the violators in both cases, and investigative actions are being conducted.

According to the Committee for Religious Affairs, 178 criminal cases were initiated in Uzbekistan in 2025 related to the illegal implementation of the Umrah pilgrimage. In addition, fines were imposed on 47 tourism organizations operating without a license and 15 tourism organizations that violated advertising legislation.

According to the government's decision, from May 1, 2026, Umrah events will be carried out through mandatory registration on the portal. It is not permitted to organize trips without entering information about pilgrims into the portal.