Probe reveals foreigners’ involvement

FIA sources say five foreign nationals currently hiding to evade arrest

RAWALPINDI:

The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) investigation into online lending scams has revealed that several foreign nationals were also involved in the predatory lending business that led to the suicide of a citizen.

According to FIA sources, five foreigners have been identified as part of the digital scam during the probe.

The FIA's focus on these lending apps intensified following a tragic incident of debt-driven suicide in Rawalpindi. During the investigation, it was discovered that the accused were attempting to destroy crucial digital evidence related to online scams and blackmail. They said passport numbers of the five foreign nationals have been obtained, and it is revealed that all five are currently hiding within Pakistan to evade arrest.

These individuals held significant positions within the company.

Sources from the FIA Cyber Crime Cell also told The Express Tribune that during the forensic analysis of the arrested individuals' mobile phones and devices, it became apparent that foreign nationals were also involved in the illegal lending business.

The accused foreigners were reportedly working in positions such as director of finance, chief operating officer, assistant deputy director of business development, and deputy director of business development in the company. They had recruited local employees at high wages through various advertisements.

Sources said the accused are actively trying to eliminate evidence related to the online lending apps to hinder the FIA investigation. However, the FIA's digital evidence collection experts are working to prevent the destruction of crucial digital evidence.

Sources revealed that the FIA has made significant progress in the case based on information obtained from the arrested accused. The modus operandi of the accused involved obtaining access to citizens' information through various data companies and luring them into the trap of easy loans through mobile applications. The victims, mostly individuals struggling with poor economic conditions, found it difficult to escape from the loan trap.

Foreign suspects had expertise in gaining access to private social media accounts and mobile numbers of local borrowers. In an effort to curb such illegal activities, the FIA has communicated with other digital companies, including Google Play Store, sharing vital information about online lending scams.

Sources said the investigation team is actively pursuing the arrest of the foreign suspects to immediately halt their digital control over the app data. This step is crucial to secure important evidence, which will be presented in court during the ongoing investigation.

Earlier this year, a 42-year-old man took his own life in Rawalpindi after being unable to repay a loan he had taken from a predatory digital lender.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2023.