Pakistani doctor scammed out of $1,900 in Maldives job offer scheme

An investigation has revealed a scam in which a Pakistani woman doctor was promised a job and work visa in the Maldives, only to be defrauded of her money.

The FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Cell has filed a case against Badr Munir Awan and his brother for their involvement in this scheme.

The case was registered on the complaint of Dr. Fatima Ahad under Sections 18 and 22 of the Immigration Ordinance 1979, as well as Section 109 of the Fraud and Abetment of Crime Act, following inquiry number 295/24.

If the allegations are proven true, actions will be taken against Dr. Badr Munir Awan and Baber Shahzad. Both suspects are biological brothers; Dr. Badr Munir Awan resides in the Maldives, while Baber Shahzad is based in Pakistan, and both hail from Attock.

A report states that Dr. Fatima Ahad claimed the suspects conspired and, with alleged malice and unlawful intent, deceived her into believing they would secure her a job in a hospital in the Maldives on a work visa, resulting in her being defrauded of $1,900. The suspects did not possess an overseas employment license nor any legal authority, yet they promised to convert a three-month visa for the Maldives into a one-year work visa.

The individuals failed to provide the work visa or bring her to the Maldives to secure employment as a professional doctor. Due to the suspects' behavior and actions, she found herself in a dire situation in the Maldives, facing serious risks to her life.

Dr. Fatima Ahad further stated in the case that due to the suspects, she not only incurred a fine of $3,000 in the Maldives but also had to arrange her own funds to return to her homeland.

The suspects not only caused her a loss of thousands of American dollars but also severely damaged her reputation as a professional doctor. Because of their heinous actions, she was blacklisted in the Maldives, which has jeopardized her professional future. As a result, she is unable to secure employment as a doctor at multiple places.

FIA officials stated that based on the inquiry, a case has been registered against the suspects Baber Shahzad and Badr Munir Awan, and the involvement of other individuals will be determined during the investigation.

It has been reported that both brothers previously had a case registered against them in the FIA Cyber Crime Wing. The FIA Cyber Crime Wing has also recommended placing Badr Munir Awan's name on the Provisional Criminal List (PCL).

Earlier FIA apprehended an individual, identified as Zain, who had tried to travel to Canada using a fraudulent visa.

Upon detection by FIA immigration officials, he was offloaded and transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad. The Islamabad zonal office has recently relocated and now features detention facilities.

The Canadian High Commission confirmed that Zain had previously applied for a student visa using fake documents four years ago, which was rejected. This time, he obtained a visa through an agent, which was later found to be fraudulent. As a result of these experiences, he had been suffering from depression.

The FIA spokesperson emphasized that visas for any country are issued by the respective country's embassy, not by agents.