An AVO Bank client raised a high-profile complaint on social media because he could not access his deposit for over four months after selling an apartment. The man claimed that his deposit was frozen a month before the contract expired, with funds not being returned and interest accrual stopped.
According to the client's account, on December 9, 2025, he sold an apartment under a notarial deed and placed the received sum into a six-month deposit via the bank's mobile application. However, on May 14, 2026, one month before the term ended, the account was blocked, allegedly without any accompanying documentation. Although the deposit term expired on June 10, the money was never returned.
Reasons for the block: request from law enforcement agencies
AVO Bank stated that the restrictions were not imposed on its own initiative but in response to a demand from a law enforcement agency as part of investigative measures. The bank emphasized that it received the relevant request and does not have the authority to unilaterally lift this restriction; only the authorized law enforcement agency that imposed it, namely the Yunusabad District Internal Affairs Department, can remove the block.
The bank's official statement indicated that the financial institution has no right to request procedural acts from law enforcement bodies that lift the seizure on a physical person's property. The right to file motions and demand such documents belongs to the citizen who is the owner of the funds.
In response to the client's claim about the lack of documentary justification for the block, AVO Bank explained that according to Uzbekistan legislation, documents received from authorized law enforcement agencies that are of a service or confidential nature cannot be disclosed to third parties.
Analysis of the letter and further actions
The bank also commented on the letter from the law enforcement agencies, which the depositor cited as the basis for unblocking. The client claimed that the document dated September 10, 2026, stated that the block was unfounded. AVO Bank confirmed reviewing this letter, but a legal analysis showed that it does not contain direct procedural directives or sufficient legal grounds to lift the restrictions.
Furthermore, AVO Bank noted that the organization independently sent requests to law enforcement agencies and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan to clarify all circumstances of the block. Nevertheless, the official act lifting the restrictions has not yet been received by the bank. The bank particularly stressed that the timeline for unblocking is entirely dependent on the decision of the authorized body, not the credit institution, while the bank continues to cooperate with state structures to expedite the resolution of the situation.
In conclusion, AVO Bank clarified that despite the suspension of operations, the accrual of interest on the client's deposit was not halted, refuting the client's assertion that interest stopped accruing on June 11, 2026. Urging users to verify information before posting on social media, the bank stated its readiness to defend its position within the law.