An official of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade was arrested red-handedly while receiving 10 thousand dollars in Samarkand province, the press service of the State Security Service said.

The man promised to help a resident of Samarkand city obtain a visa and enter the United States for 14 thousand dollars with the help of acquaintances at the embassy. As an advance, he asked for 10 thousand dollars, while receiving which he was arrested.

In another case, a native of the Samarkand province, 24, living in the United States (previously convicted) and his relative, a student at the Samarkand Institute of Economics and Service, promised to help a local resident go to work in the United States via Mexico. They asked for 16 thousand dollars for their services. The student was detained while receiving 10 thousand dollars.

The investigation found that a man living in the United States took 41.6 thousand dollars from four citizens, promising them help in finding a job, and expended it on his own needs.

In another case in Jizzakh, an Andijan province resident, 24, was arrested while receiving 10 thousand dollars. He promised a resident of the Farish district to send him to the United States through Turkey, Europe, Nicaragua and Mexico with the help of friends and demanded 17 thousand dollars in return.

In Syrdarya province, a resident of Yangier, 32, and a native of the province living in the USA promised to send a resident of the Khavast district to the USA through Mexico for $8,200. He was arrested while receiving $8,100 and 1.24 million soums.

Earlier, the US Embassy announced that Uzbeks entering illegally across the border with Mexico would now will not be allowed into the country, but instead they would be detained until their immigration case is resolved.

On December 20, 119 citizens of Uzbekistan who illegally entered the United States were expelled to Uzbekistan.