"Neither refunds nor cars" - customers are frustrated with "Umid Auto Leasing."

In Uzbekistan, one of the most common types of fraud is deception in the buying and selling of cars. A notable example is the case of "Auto 60 oy," where over 19,000 people lost more than 57 billion sums in just three months. Additionally, there have been instances involving the companies "Mega Auto Leasin" and "Mega Car Leasin."

Consequently, the Antimonopoly Committee urged citizens to exercise caution when entering into contracts with auto leasing firms and to avoid becoming victims of fraud. The Committee reported that criminal cases have been initiated against several officials of these leasing companies, and the number of complaints from affected citizens continues to rise. The companies mentioned include "Umid auto leasing," "Umid lizing Tashkent," "Umid auto," "Umid avto Tashkent," "Umid avto lizing," "Mega Avto Leasin-Hamkor," "Mega Avto Leasin," "Samo Rimmax Avto," "Rimmax Auto Leasin," "Ishonch Auto Leasin," "Asr Auto Leasin," and "Baraka Avto Baraka Business."

Many individuals have suffered losses after signing contracts with "Umid auto leasing" for the purchase of vehicles. For several years, they have been unable to receive their cars or get their money back. Some of these victims have reached out to the Kun.uz editorial office.

"In April 2023, I made a payment. At that time, they said they were giving us a discount because they work for the benefit of the people. Then we signed a contract, and I paid 97 million sums. By the end of the year, there was no information about the car. I contacted them 8-9 times. Ultimately, when it became clear that I would not receive the car, I filed a complaint with the police on December 13.

"After that, I was initially deceived, promised a refund within 40 days. When I came to inquire, I was told: 'We offered you three cars, but you refused,' which was a blatant lie. They said they would not return my money. After that, I went to court. On October 16, the case was transferred to the Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement (BPI). The issue remains unresolved," — recounts one of the victims.

Among those who paid money to the branches of "Umid auto leasing" in various regions of the republic for the purchase of passenger and freight vehicles is a resident of Kashkadarya, Sadulla Avazov. He made payments for two vehicles. According to the contract, both cars were to be delivered within two months.

"According to their promise, both cars were to be issued within two months. However, after two months, they were still not delivered. In March, we went to court, and the case was considered in June. After that, we received the court decision only on August 12. When we approached the BPI, they told us: there are 103 people like you. Now only 30 remain. Although they promised that the money would be divided equally. Some people have not been able to get their money back for three years," — says Sadulla Avazov.

While people are unable to receive their cars or money from "Umid auto leasing," company representatives continue to enter into new contracts with other clients. One such case is the story of Khorezm resident Bekzod Khujamuratov. He explains that in March 2024, he paid the company 82 million sums for the purchase of a vehicle:

"After getting to know the company better, I decided to get my money back. I submitted a complaint to the police in the Yangihayot district. It turned out that a case had already been opened there. However, more than three months have passed, and no action has been taken regarding my complaint. They ask questions like: 'Why did you pay?'"

Some victims have managed to either receive the promised vehicles or get their money back. However, many others remain unsatisfied. For instance, Yangiboy Toshboev, who paid 45 million sums in 2023, is forced to travel between Surkhandarya region and Tashkent in hopes of reclaiming his money.

The head of "Umid auto leasing," Abdumannop Abdurakhmonov, commented on the situation to Kun.uz. He explained that the delay in vehicle delivery in 2022-2023 was due to the mass closure of several dozen leasing companies.

"At that time, due to a lack of trust in the company, the number of applications increased. After that, we began returning money. Investigative agencies opened a criminal case against "Umid auto leasing." As a result, our bank account was frozen, and it currently holds more than 3 billion sums," — stated the head of the company.

During the conversation with Kun.uz, cases were also discussed where citizens were directed from "Umid auto leasing" to "Orient avto lizing" for refunds. Abdumannop Abdurakhmonov stated that he is not the head of "Orient avto lizing." However, according to open sources, he holds this position.

The head of "Umid auto leasing" assured that money would be refunded to citizens by the specified dates, after which there would be no grounds for new complaints.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigative department of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Yangihayot district has opened a criminal case against the head of "Umid avto companes" and other officials of the company under part 4 of article 168 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Fraud on a particularly large scale).

During the investigation, it was established that Abdumannop Abdurakhmonov worked as the head of the companies "Ava Umid avto," "Ava Orient avto," "Business Orient auto," "Orient auto hamkor," "Umid auto xizmati," "Umid avto companes," and "Orient auto Toshkent." To ensure the completeness of the investigation, the materials of the case regarding Abdurahmonov and other figures have been separated into a separate proceeding. Currently, measures are being taken to compensate the material damage to the victims.

Prepared by Shahzod Urokboev.