Hundreds defrauded: Alfa and Baraka auto leasing officials face trial

Two companies – Alfa Auto Business and Baraka Auto Community – which operated between 2023 and 2024, offered car procurement services under leasing and other favorable terms. Many customers paid 20–30% upfront for locally produced vehicles. Although contracts stated that cars would be delivered within six months, company representatives verbally promised delivery within one to three months. However, officials from these firms collected payments from dozens of people and failed to fulfill their commitments. In some cases, when customers requested refunds, they were told that 10 million UZS would be withheld from the original amount.

A criminal case is now underway in Tashkent involving senior officials of Umid Auto Leasing, Alfa Auto Business, and Baraka Auto Community, all charged with fraud. A Kun.uz reporter attended the June 13 court session, where several victims testified. According to them, the contracts were written in Russian and structured in an unusual manner.

One of the victims, Jahongir Rahmonov, said he paid 56 million UZS via bank transfer in 2024 to purchase a Cobalt. When his family became suspicious of the contract’s terms, they requested a refund, but company representatives delayed the process with various excuses. Interestingly, the contract listed two LLCs. Rahmonov said a man named Bunyod, who was working unofficially for the company, promised the car would arrive in three months, even though the contract stated six months.

“In March 2024, we found an ad for Baraka Auto on OLX. I called the number, and a dispatcher connected me with the Samarkand branch. She told us to come at 9 a.m., so my brother and I went. At the office, we met a young man and woman, along with Bunyod. He explained how everything worked, assuring us that the car would be delivered within three months. We agreed to make the payment later that day,” Rahmonov testified. “When we returned and signed the contract, we went to the bank and made the transfer. I even asked Bunyod if this was some kind of scam, and he reassured me it was not. A few days later, I gave the contract to my father, who was in Karshi at the time. He reviewed it with some acquaintances and told me, ‘This contract looks suspicious – try to get your money back.’ So, I returned to the office around March 22 or 23 with my uncle. I said I wasn’t satisfied and wanted a refund. Bunyod called someone named Jalol and told him what was going on. Jalol said the refund would be issued, but 10 million UZS would be deducted, as per the contract.”

Later, Rahmonov's uncle told Jaloliddin (another defendant) that he had signed the contract without fully understanding it. Jaloliddin then stated that while they wouldn't deduct money, the refund would take time. Eventually, the office shut down. When Rahmonov called to inquire, he was told, “We’ve ceased operations.” Jaloliddin added that the refund would still be processed in due time. According to Rahmonov, the contract was under Alfa Auto Business, but the folder was labeled Baraka Auto.

“When I asked, ‘Why does it say Baraka Auto on the folder but has an Alfa Auto Business stamp?’ I was told, ‘This is a Tashkent branch – everything is handled officially through Tashkent,’” Rahmonov said. His father, Husan Hamidov, added that the contract was clearly written in favor of the company.

Another victim, Azizbek Arintaev from Tashkent region, testified that he had paid 55 million UZS for a Cobalt. However, the defendant denied his allegations. Other victims stated that after paying 30% of the vehicle’s cost, they were promised the car within 30–45 days. Several contracts were signed online. As deadlines passed and vehicles were not delivered, some customers threatened to contact authorities. But the head of Alfa Auto Business warned that such actions would “complicate the situation.”

“[A company rep] said, ‘Once my brother Javohir gets out [of custody], we’ll refund your money or deliver a car from the market,’” said victim Gholib Norov.

Another victim, Shuhrat Urunov, said that one month after signing his contract, he was no longer able to reach the company’s Samarkand office employees.

“On February 25, 2024, I visited the company and was contacted on the 27th. They said their promotion was ending and offered a three-year plan with 7% annual interest. I agreed. A guy named Bunyod was there. I asked how long it would take to get the car. He said one month. He told me to pay 30% – 56.6 million UZS – for a white Cobalt. We made the payment together at the bank. A month later, I called to ask about the car, and they said they were still processing orders from January. By April, all the numbers associated with Bunyod and the 20-40 prefix were switched off,” said Urunov.

Another victim, Toshtemir Umurzakov, testified that the firm’s officials kept shifting responsibility among each other. In Samarkand, Bunyod seemed to be running the show. All victims demanded full refunds in court.

Toward the end of the session, one victim remarked that despite the evidence, defendant Mannopov continued to deny guilt. According to Nodir Nazarov, the Alfa and Baraka leasing officials took money from around 100 individuals but never delivered the vehicles.

The next court session is scheduled for June 20.