FIA Seizes US Dollars in Crackdown on Illegal Currency Trade

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested individuals and seized foreign and local currency including 700 US Dollars during a nationwide crackdown against illegal currency operations. The raids were conducted under the directives of FIA Director General Rafat Mukhtar Raja.

FIA arrested five individuals in Quetta and Chaman for running illegal currency exchange and Hawala/Hundi networks. In addition to the US Dollars, authorities recovered Rs. 684,000 in Pakistani rupees, 230.5 million Iranian Rial, over 135,000 Afghanis, 200 Saudi Riyal (SAR), and 150 Australian Dollars (AUD).

Cheque books, receipts, and bank slips linked to unlicensed transactions were also seized.

In the FIA Multan Zone, three individuals were arrested for human trafficking. One suspect was found defrauding victims of over Rs. 8.2 million by promising fake job placements in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Two others were also arrested for offering fake jobs in Azerbaijan and squeezing Rs. 2.36 million by falsely promising employment in the UAE.

In Lahore and Islamabad, two individuals were arrested on charges of visa fraud. One of them took Rs. 1.68 million for a fake job offer in Lithuania, and another one was accused of collecting Rs. 700,000 for a false US visa.

All individuals are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.