Desperate times, desperate measures: Locals deceived by fraudulent IB inspector

Imposter claimed to have Canadian visas for people residing in war-torn areas.

PESHAWAR:

Residents of war-torn regions have fallen victim to a con artist masquerading as an intelligence agency official. He claimed to be a relative of Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Kishwar Khan, the fake Intelligence Bureau (IB) inspector, visited Hangu and Kohat and told a group of residents he had been given a quota to distribute Canadian visas in war-hit areas. He further said the visas would be issued if applicants made a payment of between Rs0.3 to Rs0.6 million.

“We have collected this money after selling our property, vehicles and shops because all of us our poor and jobless,” said Hilal Khan, a potential ‘applicant’ who was flanked by around 40 other people. Speaking at the Peshawar Press Club, Khan said the official had promised to issue their visas by February 14 this year. “When we went to his house to ask about it he was not available.”

He said that original passports were also given to Khan. Even though some of his colleagues received a call saying their visas had been issued, Khan added that their travel documents had not been returned even after a lapse of five months.

“I was given a letter issued by the Canadian Embassy in Islamabad saying a third party would collect my passport once the visa was approved. When I contacted the embassy, however, I was told the letter was forged,” said Hangu Falak, another resident.

He added that a resident of Hangu named Saeed Umer, who was given the task of collecting the visa fee, claimed he could not be held responsible for anything.

Falak said residents had filed an FIR against the fake IB official in Islamabad and demanded a meeting with the IB’s director. Additionally, they also requested the chief justice and interior minister to take notice of the situation and ensure that their money and passports are returned.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.