Police officers in Uzbekistan have detained four men suspected of extorting a large sum of money in a high-profile criminal case that has drawn national attention.

The suspects include 38-year-old Jaloliddin Ikromov, known as “Jalol Eski Sheher,” 41-year-old previously convicted Temur Normurodov, nicknamed "Dikiy" (“Wild”), 32-year-old Ma’ruf Mavlyanov, called "Borziy" (“Bold”) and 24-year-old Alisher Khamroev from Karshi, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Investigators say a Samarkand-based entrepreneur who introduced himself as “Major” hired the group to recover a debt of 520 million soums from a resident of the Yakkabog district. Prosecutors claim the men threatened the debtor’s family and managed to collect 500 million soums. Instead of handing the money over to the alleged client, they reportedly kept it for themselves.

During a special operation, authorities detained both the four suspects and the entrepreneur believed to have ordered the collection. A criminal case has been launched under Article 165, Part 3 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code (extortion), and all suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention.