Abdumannop Abdurakhmonov, the head of “Umid Avto Companies” LLC and several affiliated auto-leasing firms, has been detained on charges of large-scale fraud. The Interior Ministry’s Investigation Department confirmed his arrest to Kun.uz. Abdurakhmonov, along with other company executives, is facing serious charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 168, Part 4(a) (fraud) and Article 188-1 (illegal activities involving the attraction of funds or other property).
The criminal case was filed on September 3, 2024, and has been forwarded to the Chilanzar District Court, where hearings have been ongoing since November. More than 200 victims have been identified in connection with the case, claiming financial losses after they failed to receive either the vehicles or refunds they were promised through agreements with Abdurakhmonov’s companies.
The investigation has revealed that Abdurakhmonov also headed several related firms, including “Orient Avto,” “Business Orient Auto,” “Orient Auto Hamkor,” “Umid Auto Xizmati,” and “Orient Auto Toshkent.” Authorities have separated parts of the case to ensure comprehensive legal proceedings and restitution for the victims, with efforts to recover material losses still ongoing.
Earlier this year, on January 6, Abdurakhmonov anonymously commented on a Kun.uz investigation, attributing delays in vehicle deliveries to the collapse of several leasing companies between 2022-2023. His remarks came amid growing public frustration over unfulfilled contracts, as many clients were unable to recover their payments or receive the vehicles they had contracted for.
The investigation is still underway under the Tashkent City Police Department’s Investigative Directorate, with authorities committed to ensuring accountability and a lawful resolution for all involved parties.