ABBOTTABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle Abbottabad has arrested a proclaimed offender accused of defrauding citizens of Rs523,500 on the pretext of providing work visas for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to FIA officials, the arrest was made by a team led by Sub-Inspector Bilal Tanoli on the directives of the Director FIA Peshawar Zone as part of an ongoing crackdown against illegal visa agents.
The accused, identified as Shakeel Ahmed, son of Shaukat Ali and a resident of Nadeem Park Colony, Tehsil and District Kasur, was wanted in FIR No. 05/2023, registered on January 11, 2023, under Sections 18-B and 22-B of the Immigration Ordinance, 1979. He had been declared a proclaimed offender by the court.
The accused allegedly collected Rs523,500 from complainants by promising to arrange UAE work visas. Following his arrest, he was produced before a court, which granted the FIA two-day physical remand for further investigation.
The FIA said further investigation into the case was underway as part of its continued efforts to curb illegal visa operations and protect citizens from immigration fraud.