New online scams: fake traders, "licenses in 2 days," and a financial pyramid disguised as Masdar. Stay alert to protect your investments!

The year 2024 can rightfully be called the year of financial pyramids in Uzbekistan. It all began with "Parker," which convinced people to invest in the rental of power banks for high profits, and ended with HNK Media, promising earnings for watching videos. During this time, Uzbeks fell prey to the tricks of the pyramids "Sun Eco" (investments in solar panels), " Whats " and " Aif " (earnings from watching videos), "Blue Culture" (masquerading as environmental concern), and also "Dari Poluchai" (gifts for participation). Their activities were promoted not only through social networks but also via television, print media, and with the support of neighborhood leaders and heads of educational institutions. As a result, thousands of people lost their savings.

Financial pyramids and scams promising easy earnings continue to thrive actively.

Under the guise of Masdar

At the beginning of the year, the pyramid "Sun Eco," associated with solar panels, emerged. Soon after, another one appeared called Masdar.

The company Masdar, engaged in the construction of solar and wind power plants, is well-known both in Uzbekistan and abroad. Fraudsters took advantage of this by using its name, similar to how "Whats" exploited the WhatsApp brand.

The Masdar financial pyramid was built on a familiar scheme: you invest a certain amount and receive income. The source of profit was allegedly solar panels.

According to information posted by the scammers, an investment of 220,000 sums promised a daily income of 9,240 sums, totaling 1,663,000 sums after 180 days. The larger the investment, the higher the daily income. Additionally, bonuses were offered for attracting new participants. All these promises were merely bait to deceive people.

The official website of the Masdar company from the UAE contains no information about such a project. Verifying this is not difficult; however, gullible individuals eager for quick earnings always fall victim to deception.

An inept hunter aims at a lame hare

Those who believe the lies of traders about turning 1 million sums into 19 million in two hours deserve to be called "lame hares" and inevitably become prey to the "inept hunter." Anyone with even minimal economic knowledge who observes the world around them would not believe such absurd promises.

In social networks, "traders" have become active, promising multiple increases in money within hours. Unfortunately, many people fall for their tricks.

For instance, one such Telegram channel with nearly 31,000 subscribers promises to turn 1 million sums into 19 million in just two hours.

The administrator of the channel named "Komiljon Trading" asks to transfer money to a card registered in the name of a certain Shokhsan Dodojabirova. The funds collected from people are likely sent abroad as crypto assets or through other means to hide their tracks.

There are many such channels and groups on Telegram that continue to actively deceive people. Some citizens even claim they quickly increased their capital, backing this up with videos. Only God knows what or who convinced these citizens to persuade new victims of the scheme's truthfulness.

In reality, no country in the world offers the high economic efficiency promised by scammers . This is merely a deception aimed at appropriating the money of trusting citizens.

Need a license without hassle?

Scammers have once again become active on social networks, offering to obtain a driver's license in 1-2 days. Such schemes have been seen before, and several criminal groups involved in this were apprehended. However, fraud is now gaining momentum again.

Promises to "help" with licenses for money are yet another way to swindle funds.

How does the scheme work?

1. You are offered to obtain a driver's license without exams and hassle within 1-2 days for a certain sum.

2. You are convinced that after payment, the license will be produced and sent to you by mail. The scammers claim that "everything is legal."

3. In the channels and groups where this "service" is advertised, fake photos of licenses and documents, supposedly issued for clients, are published.

Scammers even use false testimonies: people claim they "received their licenses in 2 days," checked them with the traffic police, and confirmed they were real. These fake reviews encourage new victims to trust and lose their money.

After money is transferred, the "helpers" disappear, leaving trusting citizens with nothing. This deception, like many others, continues due to the low financial literacy of the population and the desire to find an easy way to solve problems.

Scammers offering driver's licenses in a short time go even further, promising document processing for various categories for a fixed amount. For example:

• Category "B" — 4 million sums,
• Category "BC" — 4.8 million sums.

They also offer:

• A certificate of training at a driving school for 2 million sums.
• If a driver has been deprived of rights for driving under the influence, "restoration" will cost 5 million sums.

Payment is made via transfer to a card. Scammers follow a well-rehearsed script: the victim transfers money, believing in the promises, and after receiving the payment, the perpetrators block them in the messenger and disappear. Despite the clear illegality and absurdity of such offers, there are still people who fall into the trap of scammers.

Kun.uz urges citizens to be vigilant and not to trust dubious projects.

Ruslan Saburov, Kun.uz