Three suspects have been arrested for extorting well-known restaurant brands.

According to reports circulating online, the head of the channel "Nazorat Uz," citizen J.I., instructed employees to gather compromising materials to discredit entrepreneurs.

"Initially, employees visited large restaurants in Tashkent as customers, purchased food, then inserted items hazardous to health, took photos and recorded videos. After that, J.I. would contact the owners of the establishments, send the materials via Telegram, and threaten to publish them on YouTube and Telegram channels while demanding money." , — states a report .

In September 2024, J.I., dressed in a paramedic uniform, filmed a video claiming that a city medical clinic had received a mass influx of patients suffering from poisoning due to dishes from one of the well-known brands, and posted it on his page.

Following this, the channel's administrators prepared a fake PR contract for 240 million sums and demanded that a representative of the restaurant transfer 40 million sums monthly to their organization's account. To preserve the brand's reputation, the entrepreneur transferred 80 million sums in October and November.

The Tashkent Internal Affairs Department confirmed that employees of the "Nazorat Uz" channel are suspected of extortion. On December 18, 2024, a criminal case was initiated against three citizens under Article 165, Part 2, Clause "b" (Extortion committed by a group of individuals by prior agreement).

"On December 21, 2024, they were placed under detention as a preventive measure. Investigative actions are ongoing, and further information will be provided later," the Tashkent City Internal Affairs Department reported.