An unusual deceit: Student conned on the ‘promise’ of a car

KIU management reimburses student from personal contributions.

GILGIT:

Kavita Parveen’s family did not think twice when they were asked by ‘Federal Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim’ to deposit money in a bank to claim a ‘reward’ from the president. Why would they? The number was given by the vice chancellor (VC) of Karakoram International University (KIU).

But the person at the other end of the line was actually impersonating the minister.

It all started last month when a man called the KIU’s VC Najma Najam, requesting her to allow the university’s position holders to participate in a ceremony being held in Islamabad on February 21.

When the vice chancellor informed Parveen, her uncle Aifat Nazar declined the offer saying they will be unable to attend the event on such short notice. The vice chancellor then gave Parveen a number, which, the impersonator said belonged to the federal minster for commerce and trade.

When Parveen’s uncle called the number, a man, impersonating as the federal minister, told him to deposit Rs240,000 in account number 032-01335953001 of Standard Chartered Bank, in order to claim a tax-free vehicle under the president’s award for exceptional students.

The family later realised they had been duped when upon enquiry, the federal minister and his office staff denied that they had contacted Parveen or her family.

Since the number had been given by the university, KIU administration decided to compensate the student through personal contributions, said KIU Registrar Ahsanullah Mir. He said once the stolen money is reclaimed, the university officials will be paid back their contributions. Concerned agencies are investigating the matter and a case has been registered with the Islamabad police, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2011.