The Uzbek police officers have uncovered cases involving illegal attempts to send citizens abroad for work in exchange for large sums of money.

The incidents were recorded in the Navoi Region and Kashkadarya Region, where individuals were offering “assistance” in securing overseas employment and work visas, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

In one case in the Kitab district, a resident of the Tashkent Region reportedly promised two citizens jobs in Israel along with work visas for $20,000. He was detained while receiving a $5,000 advance payment.

In a separate incident, the head of a tourism company promised a resident of the Khatyrchi district employment opportunities in Bulgaria in exchange for arranging travel documents. He was arrested after receiving $3,000.

The Uzbek State Security Service reported that criminal cases have been opened in both incidents, with investigations currently ongoing.

Officials continue to warn citizens about fraudulent schemes targeting job seekers looking for opportunities abroad.