Gold trader kidnapped, robbed of over Rs170m

AVCC takes over investigation as victim details 24-hour ordeal

KARACHI:

Boat Basin police have registered a case against unidentified suspects for the kidnapping of a gold trader, who was allegedly held hostage for 24 hours and deprived of more than Rs170 million in cash through bank transfers, ATM withdrawals and other means.

According to police, the case has been registered under Section 365-A of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the victim, Muhammad Zameer, a resident of Baldia Madina Colony. The investigation has been handed over to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC).

In his statement, the complainant said he runs a private gold trading business and an online digital marketing academy with an office located in DHA's Khayaban-e-Muslim. He stated that on January 7, at around 1:15am, while returning home, a black Vigo vehicle attempted to block his car.

He alleged that three armed men approached his vehicle, assaulted him, forcibly abducted and transferred him into their vehicle, while one suspect drove away his car. The kidnappers blindfolded him, verbally abused him and falsely claimed multiple cases were registered against him.

The victim said the suspects obtained his mobile phone passwords and transferred Rs28 million from his account, followed by another Rs49 million. He was then taken to an undisclosed location and confined in a room, where further ransom demands were made.

According to the FIR, the kidnappers contacted his manager, Asad, and forced transfers of Rs50 million into accounts belonging to Asad and his sister-in-law, later collecting the cash near Bahria Town on Super Highway. The suspects also summoned a woman, identified as Shehzadi, obtained the PIN codes of four ATM cards and withdrew Rs25m, followed by another Rs30m after midnight. Additionally, Rs 4m was transferred from the victim's EasyPaisa account.