FIA Lahore Zone Conducts Major Crackdown on Visa Fraud and Migrant Smuggling
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone has executed significant operations targeting visa fraud and migrant smuggling, resulting in the arrest of four individuals accused of defrauding citizens under the guise of sending them abroad. According to an official spokesperson from the FIA, the arrests were made following intensive investigations into fraudulent activities that have exploited hopeful migrants.
Details of the Arrested Suspects and Their Alleged Crimes
The arrested suspects have been identified as Mir Owais Khan, Maryam Parvez, Muhammad Jameel, and Muhammad Afzal. The FIA spokesperson revealed that Mir Owais and Maryam are accused of deceiving citizens by offering false promises of UK work visas, allegedly depriving them of more than Rs 20 million. Their arrest came after the Lahore High Court cancelled their pre-arrest bail, highlighting the severity of the charges against them.
In a separate case, Muhammad Jameel and Muhammad Afzal are alleged to have extorted Rs 450,000 from individuals by promising to facilitate their travel to Saudi Arabia. However, they failed to deliver on these promises, leaving the victims stranded and defrauded. The spokesperson emphasized that all four accused are now in custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover further details of these fraudulent schemes.
Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications
The FIA is actively pursuing these cases to dismantle networks involved in visa fraud and migrant smuggling, which pose significant risks to citizens seeking opportunities abroad. This crackdown underscores the agency's commitment to combating such illegal activities and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious offers related to overseas travel to prevent further victimization.
