Agency urges citizens to verify agents through the official FIA list before seeking employment abroad
Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel stand guard at international arrivals at Islamabad International Airport. Photo: REUTERS
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a man accused of running an illegal visa consultancy firm and defrauding citizens by promising them employment abroad. Pakistani Associated Press reported Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Asif Nadeem, was arrested by the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad for allegedly operating an unauthorized agency under the name Berlin Immigration Solutions.
According to the FIA, Nadeem is accused of defrauding a citizen of Rs 1.9 million by falsely promising a job in the UK. Investigators said the suspect failed to provide any legitimate travel or work documents after receiving the money.
The FIA said the arrest followed a formal complaint and preliminary investigation which revealed evidence of visa fraud and illegal recruitment. Authorities believe the suspect was part of an organized human trafficking ring that targeted job seekers with false assurances of visas and foreign employment.
Further searches are underway to arrest other agents and facilitators linked to the network, the FIA said, adding that investigations were continuing to identify other victims and trace financial transactions.
The agency reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and visa fraud and urged citizens to vet agents through the official FIA Protectorate List before seeking employment opportunities abroad.
