24 years later: NAB launches inquiry against Lucky Ali

Suspect advertised plots in housing schemes but failed to deliver to the buyers

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi has started an inquiry against management of National House Building and Road Development Corporation and others regarding cheating the public at large.

NAB Rawalpindi in a statement issued on Tuesday said that dozens of complaints from different cities were received against the suspect identified as TV personality Lucky Ali, whose real name is Mian Waseem Ahmed.

The complainants from Gujranwala, Hyderabad, DG Khan, Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and AJK claimed purchasing plots in housing schemes sponsored by Ali. These projects include National Gardens, Defence Valley, National Town, Sir Syed Town, New Islamabad City, Defence Avenue.

However, despite the lapse of 24 years, none of the plots have come into the buyers’ possession. During complaint verification, it was revealed that Lucky Ali was cheating the public at large by advertising through multiple housing schemes.

Considering the schemes were advertised nationwide, there are potentially hundreds of people who became prey to this scam. The suspect received initial investment from complainants and later transferred the plot to another scheme after every seven to 10 years.

No development work was carried out in any of these above housing schemes.

NAB Rawalpindi DG Irfan Naeem Mangi said that the bureau was making every possible effort to recover looted money from swindlers.

However, this practice to invest in unauthorised housing schemes in the greed of more interest on investments must end. He urged people to invest only in government-approved banking and investment system.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2018.