FIA Gujranwala zone arrests 17 alleged human traffickers

A woman who was allegedly brought to Pakistan from Bangkok on the promise of marriage has accused a man of sexually assaulting her in Rawalpindi. Police said a case was registered at the Rawat police station on the woman’s complaint. The allegations have been included in the first information report (FIR) registered against the nominated suspect. According to the FIR, the woman met the suspect in Bangkok about two years ago. The two reportedly developed a friendship after their meeting. She later alleged that the suspect continued to remain in contact with her and promised to marry her. The woman stated that around four months ago, she came to Pakistan after being assured of marriage. She said the suspect arranged a rented apartment for her in a private housing society in Rawalpindi. She then began living at the apartment. According to her statement, the suspect allegedly sexually assaulted her on several occasions. She claimed that whenever she asked him to marry her, he avoided giving a clear response and continued to delay the matter. The woman also alleged that the suspect restricted her movement. She claimed that she was not allowed to leave the apartment freely. She further accused him of physically assaulting her during her stay there. The complainant also alleged that the suspect took her money when he left the apartment. She approached the police after the alleged incidents and requested legal action against the man. Police confirmed that the nominated suspect has been arrested. After the FIR was registered, the investigation was handed over to the relevant specialised investigation unit. Officials said the case is under investigation. Police are collecting evidence and examining the allegations made by the complainant. Further legal action will be taken in accordance with the findings of the investigation.

LAHORE: Authorities have arrested 28 suspects in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan as part of a major crackdown on organised online fraud, exposing alleged schemes that relied on impersonation, fake investment opportunities and fabricated official identities to deceive citizens. The arrests were made during a province-wide operation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab, directed by Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said. Investigators also seized 24 mobile phones and a laptop, which are now being examined for evidence that could lead to other members of the alleged network. The investigation has revealed how fraudsters allegedly manipulated trust to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. Millions allegedly lost in Lahore scam In Lahore, 18 suspects were arrested in separate operations. Investigators said the suspects allegedly impersonated relatives, visa agents, government officials and personnel associated with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. In one case, suspects allegedly posed as both a relative and a visa agent and persuaded a victim to transfer Rs25.86 million. The case has highlighted how scammers can combine apparently familiar identities with urgent requests to make their schemes appear legitimate. Rs54.66m trading fraud uncovered Three suspects were arrested in Faisalabad in connection with alleged online trading fraud and unauthorised access to a company email account. According to investigators, a victim was shown fabricated trading records, digital-wallet balances and purported profit statements to create the impression that substantial returns were being generated. After being persuaded to invest, the victim allegedly lost Rs54.66 million, investigators said. The case demonstrates the growing sophistication of investment scams, where criminals allegedly use manipulated digital information to make fraudulent platforms appear genuine. Multan arrests expose impersonation tactics In Multan, seven suspects were arrested for allegedly posing as relatives, bank employees and individuals claiming to be based in Britain. Officials said victims were approached with various demands, including payments supposedly required for prize money, customs clearance, taxes and visa renewals. Such tactics typically create a sense of urgency, leaving victims with little time to verify the identity of the caller or the authenticity of the demand. Digital evidence now under forensic examination NCCIA investigators are examining the seized devices through forensic analysis. Financial transactions, call records and digital communications are also being reviewed to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other people who may be connected to it. The crackdown comes amid growing concern over online financial fraud in Pakistan. The NCCIA’s own statistics identify financial fraud as a major category of reported cybercrime. The latest arrests underscore a simple but increasingly important warning: an apparently familiar voice, official-looking message or promising investment opportunity may not be what it seems. Authorities are expected to continue the investigation as they trace the alleged network and follow the digital and financial trails left behind.