Mehroj Rahmatov, head of the construction company "Bright Industry Buildings The Future", was arrested by the Navoi City Criminal Court on December 19, 2024. He was initially detained on December 18.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Rahmatov, who has been leading the company since its registration on November 18, 2017, sold apartments and commercial spaces in a residential building project comprising 153 apartments and 14 shops to 425 people. Fully aware that there were 258 more buyers than available units, he issued fraudulent contracts and payment receipts to these additional customers, thus illegally acquiring significant amounts of money.

The investigation report indicates that Rahmatov issued fake receipts showing payments deposited into the company’s bank account. Through this scheme, he fraudulently acquired a total of 37.84 billion UZS from 133 citizens.

Rahmatov's defense attorney argued that 18 billion UZS of the damages had been repaid, additional compensations were provided in the form of housing for some victims, and all of Rahmatov's assets were frozen. The defense requested a preventive measure other than detention.

Rahmatov is being prosecuted under Article 168, Part 4(a) (large-scale fraud) and Article 228, Part 2(a) (preparing, counterfeiting, selling, or using fake documents, stamps, seals, or forms) of the Criminal Code. Authorities have seized 12 of his immovable properties, including a kindergarten, a concrete production plant, a greenhouse, fish farming facilities, and eight vehicles.

Previously, it was reported that when victims brought this case to light, a journalist investigating the matter was summoned to the regional prosecutor’s office and asked not to air their report. When the journalist refused, the prosecutor warned that broadcasting the story might interfere with the investigation and sent an official letter to the management of Sevimli TV.

Rahmatov was honored with the "Active Entrepreneur" award in 2023.