FIA arrests three suspects in Punjab visa fraud crackdown

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency’s Multan Zone said it had arrested three suspects allegedly linked to human smuggling and visa fraud during an ongoing crackdown, while also recovering large sums of money for affected citizens.

The operations were conducted on the directions of FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar and Multan Zone Director Attaur Rehman, according to an FIA spokesperson. The action was aimed at proclaimed offenders and individuals accused of involvement in human trafficking-related offences.

The spokesperson said teams from the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle arrested proclaimed offender Rashid Shabbir in Vehari. He was wanted in a case registered this year and is accused of taking Rs400,000 from a citizen on the promise of arranging a Dubai work visa, but allegedly failed to provide the visa.

In another operation, FIA officials arrested proclaimed offender Ali Raza in Lodhran. According to the spokesperson, he allegedly received Rs204,000 from a victim for a Saudi visa but did not fulfil the commitment.

A third suspect, Naseer Ahmed, was arrested in Bahawalpur. The FIA spokesperson said he was wanted in multiple cases and is accused of obtaining more than Rs1.09 million from complainants by claiming he would secure employment visas for Saudi Arabia.

The agency said all three suspects were being investigated.

Funds returned to victims

Separately, the FIA’s Composite Circle in Bahawalpur recovered and returned substantial amounts to victims in several visa fraud cases.

According to the spokesperson, the recovered amounts were Rs100,000, Rs990,000, Rs890,000, Rs350,000, Rs350,000 and Rs1.1 million in different inquiries and cases.

The victims, in video statements, thanked the agency for helping recover their money and for taking action against those involved in human smuggling and fraud.

The arrests and recoveries were announced as part of the FIA’s continuing action in Punjab against suspects accused of deceiving people by promising overseas jobs and visas.

The FIA statement said the crackdown was continuing under the supervision of senior officials in the Multan Zone.