The Federal Investigation Agency Islamabad Zone has arrested 190 illegal visa agents, recovered over Rs615 million, and registered 1,543 cases during a four-month crackdown against human smuggling and overseas employment fraud.
ISLAMABAD, October 17, 2026: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone has arrested 190 illegal visa agents and recovered Rs615.55 million in financial restitutions during a comprehensive four-month crackdown targeting human smuggling networks and fraudulent overseas employment schemes, according to official data released on Friday.
The extensive operations were conducted under the direct supervision of the director of the FIA Islamabad Zone, utilizing the specialized operational capacity of the anti-human trafficking circles (AHTCs) operating across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. During the four-month enforcement period, law enforcement personnel across the two regional circles registered a total of 1,543 First Information Reports (FIRs) against suspected human traffickers, fraudulent travel facilitators, and unauthorized recruitment operators.
A detailed breakdown of the official operational figures indicates that the AHTC Islamabad division led the enforcement actions, successfully arresting 120 illegal visa agents, recovering Rs411.05 million in defrauded funds, and registering 875 individual criminal cases. Simultaneously, the AHTC Rawalpindi division reported the arrest of 70 suspects, the recovery of Rs204.5 million, and the formal registration of 668 cases.
In total, the coordinated regional enforcement effort yielded the apprehension of 190 suspects and the recovery of over Rs615 million, highlighting the scale of fraudulent activities targeting citizens seeking employment or travel abroad.
Federal Investigation Agency Targets Illegal Visa Agents and Human Smuggling
The Federal Investigation Agency emphasized that its enforcement units are continuing proactive measures to safeguard citizens from fraudulent schemes operating under the guise of overseas employment and international travel facilitation. Officials stated that rigorous legal proceedings will be pursued against all unauthorized individuals and entities engaged in human smuggling and illicit migration operations.
As part of ongoing public awareness campaigns, the agency strongly advised citizens to thoroughly verify the credentials of recruitment agencies, travel agents, and intermediaries before entering into any financial agreements or processing documents for overseas employment. Furthermore, authorities urged the public to immediately report any suspected fraudulent practices or illegal recruitment activities to the relevant regional offices for prompt legal intervention.
In a separate enforcement operation on Friday, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Rawalpindi Circle reported busting an organized international cyber fraud network accused of fleecing foreign nationals through sophisticated online schemes. According to an official NCCIA spokesperson, agency personnel executed a targeted raid within a private housing society, resulting in the apprehension of three suspects, including a woman.
Investigators disclosed that the syndicate members operated by impersonating financial institution representatives and officials of foreign law enforcement agencies. By employing intimidation tactics, fear, and elaborate deception, the suspects systematically extorted funds from foreign victims. Law enforcement officers seized multiple mobile phones and electronic devices during the raid, while follow-up operations and raids remain underway to apprehend remaining accomplices connected to the cyber crime network.
Authorities confirmed that a formal criminal case has been registered against the arrested individuals under relevant legal provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and the Pakistan Penal Code, with comprehensive follow-up investigations currently in progress. National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi stressed that uncompromising and indiscriminate enforcement actions against international cyber fraud networks that damage the country’s international reputation will continue without exception.
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