FIA Arrests Five Suspects in Hawala, Visa Fraud Raids

News Desk
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested five suspects during separate intelligence-led operations targeting illegal currency exchange networks, hawala-hundi operations, and fraudulent visa processing rings in the provincial capital.
According to the FIA spokesperson, the Commercial Banking Circle executed a targeted raid resulting in the apprehension of four suspects allegedly operating an illicit hawala-hundi and currency exchange network.
Authorities identified the detainees as Farhatullah, Zabiullah, Muhammad Qasim, and Adnan Khan, all originating from Landi Kotal in the Khyber Agency.
Law enforcement officials recovered Rs107 million in cash from their possession alongside mobile devices and financial records corroborating the illegal transactions.
In a parallel operation, the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle raided a commercial establishment in Gulberg Main Market, apprehending a suspected fraudulent visa agent identified as Khalid Arif.
Investigators recovered 17 Pakistani passports, 13 forged Albanian visa approval documents, and 12 counterfeit official stamps.
Furthermore, authorities seized fabricated employment contracts, demand letters, medical clearances, and police character certificates intended to deceive vulnerable applicants.
These coordinated actions underline a heightened regulatory crackdown against financial crimes and human smuggling networks operating across provincial boundaries.
The Federal Investigation Agency has initiated comprehensive interrogations to trace broader syndicates and potential internal accomplices facilitating these underground operations.