The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi has uncovered a major visa fraud scheme, leading to the arrest of two individuals involved in deceiving people on the false promise of securing United States visas. The operation was initiated after a complaint was lodged by the US Consulate in Karachi.
Authorities identified the suspects as Uzma Mustafa, the owner of an NGO in Lahore, and Muhammad Shabbir, the owner of a travel agency in Vehari. Both were apprehended outside the US Consulate while accompanying a group of 18 victims who had arrived for visa interviews.
Investigations revealed that the accused had allegedly collected large sums ranging from Rs2.5 million to Rs3 million from each of the 18 individuals — 14 men and four women.
The victims were misled into believing that the money would guarantee them US visas. The suspects went so far as to present the applicants as students of various universities and educational institutions across Punjab in order to secure interview slots.
It was further discovered that the NGO had arranged the visa interview appointments through fraudulent documentation, strengthening the case against the culprits.
Statements from the victims, coupled with documentary evidence, exposed the elaborate scheme designed to exploit people’s aspirations of pursuing education and opportunities abroad.
FIA officials confirmed that a case has been registered against four individuals, including the two arrested suspects.
The crackdown highlights the growing concern over human trafficking and fraudulent visa schemes that prey on innocent citizens desperate for better prospects. Authorities have assured that further investigation is underway to track down other members of the racket and to ensure that those responsible face strict legal consequences.
The incident serves as a reminder for people to remain cautious and verify the credibility of agencies or individuals offering overseas education and employment opportunities.
