KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle has busted a major human smuggling network operating in Karachi, recovering more than 100 passports along with hundreds of fake visa stamps.
According to FIA officials, five suspects have been arrested while raids are ongoing to apprehend four more. The network had reportedly been active for nearly a decade and was involved in preparing fake travel documents for illegal immigration.
Officials said that during the operation, FIA also recovered 101 passports including Indian and Afghan documents, along with visa stamps of over 40 countries. Investigators further revealed that the gang had set up a small-scale facility to produce rubber stamps and forged immigration markings used to manipulate passport records.
The operation was launched after two passengers were offloaded at Karachi airport for suspicious travel documents bound for South Korea. Subsequent investigation led to arrests and recovery of original passports and fake immigration materials from multiple locations.
Authorities said the group was involved in facilitating illegal migration abroad using forged documents and WhatsApp-based financial transactions, and had allegedly helped send hundreds of individuals overseas illegally over the past 10 years. Further investigations are underway.
