A 30-year-old resident of Dushanbe has been detained on suspicion of organizing illegal labor migration to the United Kingdom, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.
According to law enforcement authorities, the suspect acted without authorization from the Migration Service, presenting himself as an intermediary and promising citizens assistance with obtaining visas and employment in the UK.
The Interior Ministry said that in May 2023, in Dushanbe’s Shohmansour district, the suspect received 22,000 somoni from a 48-year-old resident of Hisor for his alleged services. However, he failed to fulfill his obligations and spent the money on personal needs.
Using a similar scheme, the suspect also deceived two residents of the Roudaki district, aged 40 and 47, authorities said. Each of them paid 22,000 somoni after being promised a UK visa and job placement, but the promises were never fulfilled.
Criminal proceedings have been launched against the suspect under Part 2 (Supplement 2) of Article 335 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code, which covers the illegal organization of migration. The investigation is ongoing.
Previously, authorities in Tajikistan dismantled the operations of a company offering employment opportunities in the UK. At least 69 citizens were affected, with total damages estimated at nearly 2 million somoni.
The British and German embassies in Dushanbe have repeatedly warned citizens not to trust unofficial job offers in European countries and to avoid using intermediaries when applying for visas.
