Group that promised, for a fee, to secure SAT scores, an international exam used for admission to universities abroad, mainly in the U.S was busted in Tashkent. The operation was carried out by the State Security Service (DXX) and Interior Ministry departments for Tashkent province, the DXX's press service said.
Most members of the group were students at the Tashkent branch of a European university, and one attended the branch of an Asian university. They operated out of a private school building in the capital's Yangihayot district. Clients were promised a score of 1,500 out of a possible 1,600.
The number of group members was not specified, though operational footage shows six people.
According to the DXX, an employee of an IT company gained access to the exam system and created a way to solve test tasks remotely. This allowed the students to answer questions on behalf of test-takers.
The group agreed to help five young men obtain scores for $1,500 each and received the requested sum in cryptocurrency from one of them.
A criminal case has been opened against the suspects under Article 168 (Fraud) of the Criminal Code, and an investigation is under way.
Last summer, the organizations that administer the IELTS English-proficiency exam suspended paper-based testing in the country after test materials leaked online. Reports also said some results from tests taken by candidates in the country were rechecked and annulled.
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