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Visa Fraud

German Authorities Investigate Alleged Schengen Visa Scheme Involving Citizens of Uzbekistan

German authorities have launched a major investigation into a suspected visa fraud and migrant smuggling network accused of helping dozens of citizens of Uzbekistan enter the European Union using false information and forged documents. According to Germany’s Federal Police, around 220 officers searched seven locations in Hesse and Lower Saxony as part of an investigation led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Weiden in der Oberpfalz, Bavaria. The case concerns suspected commercial smuggling of foreign nationals, unauthorized residence, visa fraud, and document forgery. The investigation began after federal police inspected a traveler from Uzbekistan on a long-distance bus shortly after he entered Germany through a Bavarian border crossing. Authorities believe the suspects, described as members of an internationally operating group that included several people from Uzbekistan, arranged short-term Schengen visas for job seekers from the country. Investigators allege that false information and flight tickets were submitted to obtain the visas. According to prosecutors, after arriving in Germany, some individuals were allegedly provided with forged European Union identity documents. These documents were then reportedly used to register with health and pension insurance systems, tax authorities, municipal registration offices, employment agencies, and job centers, as well as to open bank accounts and activate mobile phone services. German authorities say the group may be linked to 76 visas issued to citizens of Uzbekistan. Investigators estimate that clients were charged €2,000 for obtaining a visa, another €2,000 for flight tickets, and €400 for forged driver’s licenses. During the searches, officers reportedly seized suspected fake identity documents and driver’s licenses from several European countries, more than 20 mobile phones, two laptops, and various banking, insurance, and registration documents. The investigation stems from an October 2025 inspection on the A6 highway near Waidhaus, close to Germany’s border with the Czech Republic. During that check, federal police stopped the passenger, who was traveling on a bus route between Prague and Amsterdam. Although he had a valid passport issued by Uzbekistan and a Czech Schengen visa, officers allegedly discovered four suspected forged Latvian identity cards and a suspected forged Polish driver’s license in his luggage. Officers located 12 people targeted in the investigation during the raids, while authorities also encountered nine other people suspected of residing illegally in Germany. Prosecutors said they are considering whether to seek an arrest warrant for the main suspect, and the investigation remains ongoing. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant’Agnese, a former Italian ambassador to Uzbekistan, was arrested in Rome on allegations of corruption and facilitating illegal migration. Italian prosecutors allege that Papadia and his associate, Tatiana Tarakanova, operated a scheme involving the issuance of Schengen visas through the Italian Embassy in Tashkent. Prosecutors claim the pair helped arrange visas in exchange for payments.

U.S. Crime

Uzbekistan’s Consulate Urges Citizens to Follow U.S. Law After Cargo Theft Arrests

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in New York has urged citizens of Uzbekistan in the United States to follow local laws after recent media reports linked several citizens of Uzbekistan and people of Uzbek origin to criminal investigations. In a statement posted on Telegram, the consulate said reports about alleged offenses involving citizens of Uzbekistan or people of Uzbek origin had appeared increasingly in the media and on social networks. The statement did not refer to a specific case, but it came shortly after U.S. authorities announced charges against an alleged multi-state cargo theft ring. The consulate called on citizens of Uzbekistan living, studying, working, or doing business in the U.S. to respect local laws, customs, and accepted standards of public behavior. “Any violation of the law carries personal responsibility,” the statement said, adding that unlawful actions by a small number of people can affect perceptions of the broader Uzbek community abroad. The consulate said most members of that community are law-abiding, work honestly, study, run businesses, and represent Uzbekistan with dignity. The diplomatic mission noted that the issue is particularly important during major international events and sports competitions, when public and media attention toward Uzbekistan and its citizens increases. The statement was issued as U.S. law enforcement agencies continued investigating a group accused of stealing nearly $5 million worth of commercial cargo. According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, eight defendants were indicted in connection with a scheme that allegedly targeted shipments in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey before the stolen goods were diverted to New York. Prosecutors allege the group operated between October 2025 and April 2026 and impersonated legitimate shipping carriers to obtain cargo from logistics sites. The stolen goods allegedly included lamb, cheese, beef, copper, and cigarettes. According to prosecutors, the defendants used fraudulently obtained shipment information from real carriers and brokers, leased trucks, and used false carrier identities to collect cargo. The stolen goods were then transported into and through New York City for sale on the black market. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said the alleged thefts included $165,000 worth of lamb, $432,000 worth of cheese, $295,000 worth of beef, more than $266,000 worth of copper, and more than $3.3 million worth of cigarettes. The New York Post reported that Murodullo “Murad” Khasanov, whom prosecutors identified as the alleged leader of the group, was arrested in New York and pleaded not guilty. The newspaper said prosecutors sought $1.5 million bail. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the alleged theft ring affected businesses and consumers and raised concerns about the use of online hacking in large-scale cargo theft. Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing. The consulate said it remains ready, within its authority, to provide citizens with consular and legal assistance. At the same time, it urged citizens to act responsibly and avoid behavior that could lead to legal consequences or harm the reputation of Uzbekistan and its citizens abroad. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan has also sought to expand...

Product Safety

Uzbekistan Withdraws Several Chinese-Made Toys Over Safety Concerns

Several Chinese-made children’s toys have been removed from sale in Uzbekistan after laboratory tests found that they failed to meet safety requirements, according to the Inspection for Control in the Field of Technical Regulation. The violations were discovered during a test purchase at a retail outlet in the city of Jizzakh. Specialists from the inspection agency’s regional branch, together with experts from the sanitary and epidemiological service, collected samples of several products, including an elastic spiral ball toy, a cat paw toy sold under the Pinch brand, and an Avengers Superhero toy. According to the inspection agency, laboratory testing revealed a number of safety issues. The toys reportedly emitted a strong odor, had protective coatings that were not resistant to moisture, contained small parts that were not securely attached, and showed insufficient resistance to mechanical stress. Tests also found formaldehyde levels exceeding established safety limits. Health experts warned that formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and skin, and may trigger allergic reactions. Children are considered particularly vulnerable to such exposure. Inspectors also noted that detachable small parts could create choking hazards or cause injuries if swallowed. In addition to the physical safety concerns, authorities found that product labels lacked mandatory information in Uzbek. Officials said the identified violations did not comply with the country’s General Technical Regulation on the Safety of Children’s Toys. As a result, warning notices were issued to the businesses involved, and measures were taken to remove the products from store shelves and halt further sales. The case highlights the importance of toy safety standards, which are widely regulated around the world. International frameworks, including standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization and safety requirements used in the European Union, generally require toys to be free from hazardous levels of toxic substances, durable enough to withstand normal use, and designed to minimize risks such as choking, poisoning, or injury. This is not the first recent product safety case involving goods for children in Uzbekistan. In January, The Times of Central Asia reported on a Nestlé infant formula recall in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan linked to a potential contamination risk.

Prisons

Uzbek Diplomats Visit Prisoners in Russia’s Sakhalin Region

Officials from Uzbekistan’s Consulate General have visited Uzbek nationals serving prison sentences in Russia’s Sakhalin region to discuss their living conditions, health, and requests for transfer back to Uzbekistan, according to Uzbekistan’s state-run news agency Dunyo. The meeting took place at Correctional Institution No. 1 in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk during a working visit by consular staff. Dunyo reported that eleven Uzbek citizens are currently incarcerated at the facility after being convicted under various articles of Russia’s Criminal Code. During the visit, consular representatives inspected residential quarters, dining areas, and recreation facilities before holding a group meeting with the prisoners. Discussions focused on detention conditions and inmates’ well-being. According to the report, Uzbek officials also warned prisoners that joining foreign military formations could lead to criminal liability under Uzbek law. The issue has drawn attention since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, amid repeated warnings to Central Asian migrants against joining foreign military units. The incarcerated Uzbek citizens reportedly said they were generally satisfied with prison conditions. However, many expressed concerns over prolonged separation from family members and requested assistance in being transferred to Uzbekistan to serve the remainder of their sentences closer to home. Consular staff provided contact details for the Uzbek diplomatic mission and told inmates they could seek support if problems arose during detention. The visit comes amid broader discussions over the transfer of foreign prisoners between Russia and Central Asian countries. Earlier, Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, said Moscow was prepared to facilitate the transfer of more than 3,000 Uzbek citizens convicted in Russia. However, she noted that the process remains blocked because Uzbekistan has not ratified the 1998 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. The issue extends beyond Uzbekistan. Last month, Moskalkova said she had received a positive response from the Tajik authorities, including President Emomali Rahmon, regarding the possible transfer of around 200 Tajik women serving prison terms in Russia on humanitarian grounds. Labor migration from Central Asia to Russia has created a growing number of cases involving citizens imprisoned abroad, increasing pressure on governments in the region to improve legal assistance, consular access, and mechanisms for prisoner transfers. The visit shows Uzbekistan is maintaining consular access to citizens held in Russian prisons, even as a broader transfer mechanism remains unresolved.

Regional Security

Tokayev Urges Central Asia and China to Strengthen Law Enforcement Cooperation

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted the interior and public security ministers of the “Central Asia-China” format in Astana during the second meeting of regional law enforcement agencies. The meeting was attended by Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, Kyrgyz Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov, Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, Turkmen Interior Minister Muhammet Hydyrov, and Uzbek Interior Minister Aziz Tashpulatov. Participants discussed transnational crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and extremism. Tokayev said strengthening cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of Central Asia and China is essential for maintaining regional stability. “Transnational organized crime is becoming increasingly flexible and interconnected. Cybercrime has evolved into a highly profitable global industry,” the president said. According to Tokayev, criminal groups are increasingly using digital platforms to coordinate activities, launder money, and carry out attacks that transcend national borders. He emphasized that Central Asia’s position at the crossroads of major transport and trade routes leaves the region particularly vulnerable to transnational criminal networks. Tokayev said Kazakhstan considers the rule of law a strategic state priority and is continuing the implementation of its “Law and Order” governance concept. He called for stronger efforts to block the financial flows of criminal organizations, suppress the spread of extremist ideology, and detect preparations for terrorist attacks. The president devoted particular attention to cybersecurity threats. “Artificial intelligence in the hands of destructive actors is becoming an information weapon,” Tokayev said. According to him, illegal content and disinformation are spreading online on an industrial scale, while existing mechanisms of international cooperation require substantial modernization. Tokayev also linked security concerns to the expansion of regional transport infrastructure, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. “The growth of cargo traffic is associated with certain risks, including transnational crime and the trafficking of contraband, drugs, and weapons,” he said. In Tokayev’s view, the “Central Asia-China” format should evolve into a platform for developing coordinated and practical security measures across the region. Participants in the meeting reaffirmed their intention to expand operational information-sharing, strengthen professional cooperation, and introduce modern technologies into law enforcement activities.

Jeffrey Epstein

Woman From Uzbekistan Says Jeffrey Epstein Abused Her for Years

A woman from Uzbekistan has publicly accused the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein of sexually abusing her over several years after she was recruited as a teenager with promises of a modeling career in the United States. According to the BBC, the woman, identified only as Roza, spoke publicly for the first time during a field hearing organized by Democratic members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee in West Palm Beach, Florida, a location lawmakers said was chosen because it was where Epstein’s crimes first became known. According to Roza’s testimony, she met French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel in 2008 at the age of 18. Brunel, who was later accused by multiple women of trafficking and exploitation and died in prison in 2022, allegedly promised her a modeling career. “Coming from a financially unstable background, I was a perfect target for coercion,” Roza told lawmakers during emotional testimony. She said Brunel helped bring her to New York in 2009 on a visa and later introduced her to Epstein in July of that year at his residence in West Palm Beach. At the time, Epstein was serving a controversial sentence related to his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Under an arrangement criticized for being unusually lenient, he was allowed to leave custody for work for up to 16 hours a day, six days a week. Roza testified that Epstein offered her work through his Florida Science Foundation but later abused her repeatedly over a period of several years. “One day his masseuse called me into his room where I was molested for the first time by Jeffrey,” she said. “For the following three years, I was subject to ongoing rape.” Her testimony formed part of a hearing focused on how Epstein and his associates allegedly avoided accountability for years and how victims were failed by institutions meant to protect them. Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, who participated in the hearing, said the session aimed to maintain public attention on the Epstein case while congressional scrutiny continues over government handling of related records. Roza also said she was retraumatized after her name was accidentally disclosed in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice. “Now reporters from across the globe contact me. I cannot live without looking over my shoulder,” she said. “I can only imagine the long-term impact this ‘mistake’ will have on my life.” Epstein died in a New York jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The testimony adds another connection between Uzbekistan and the Epstein network. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Epstein sought architectural materials from Uzbekistan, including traditional tiles, for a controversial building on his private Caribbean island that he reportedly described as resembling a mosque. It has also been reported that U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said women and girls targeted by Epstein came from Turkmenistan and other countries, and that flight logs showed Kazakh model Ruslana Korshunova traveled to Epstein’s Little Saint...