'Conman' arrested for swindling people

Defrauded 30 'investors' of Rs350m in the name of car business

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KARACHI:

Police have arrested an alleged conman accused of defrauding people of millions of rupees through a car business scam. The suspect, identified as Zubair Ehtesham, is alleged to have embezzled approximately Rs350 million from victims, said the Aziz Bhatti Investigation Police, who made the arrest.

As per police records, 11 cases had been registered against Ehtesham at various police stations, including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Aziz Bhatti, Liaquatabad, and Ferozabad. These cases had been registered on allegations of financial fraud involving people's investments in vehicle trading.

One of the victims, Abdul Hadi, a resident of Ishaqabad near Federal B Area, filed an FIR against the accused on September 14, 2024, at PS Aziz Bhatti. In the complaint, Hadi stated that he had entrusted Rs20.83 million to Zubair Ehtesham, owner of the car dealership "Japan Car Importer," for the purchase of vehicles. Hadi alleged that Ehtesham issued multiple cheques as repayment, one of which was a cheque for Rs8.5 million from a bank's Abul Hasan Isfahani branch.

However, the cheque bounced on August 15, 2024, due to insufficient funds. When Hadi confronted the accused, he refused to return the money and subsequently went into hiding.

Last week, Hadi tipped off the police regarding Ehtesham's location. Acting on this information, the Aziz Bhatti police conducted a raid and arrested the suspect. During interrogation, Ehtesham confessed to defrauding more than 30 people, suggesting the involvement of accomplices in his fraudulent schemes.

Police have obtained a five-day physical remand of the accused for further investigation. "We expect more revelations as the inquiry progresses," an official stated.