Quick riches: If you want to be a millionaire contact Don Golo

Police, religious leaders and others believe that the man is running an illegal ‘business’.

GHOTKI:

Once a chowkidar, now he’s a millionaire. His secret is that he makes double the money for others within a month. His name is Amanat Ali Khan but he is more commonly known as Don Golo. His ‘business’ no one knows.

Initially, Don Golo was regarded as a hero by only people of lower-income groups but now wealthy people in his district, Ghotki, also contact him since he is considered an influential person who can make people rich ‘the easy and fast way’. His fame is not restricted to his village, Naukot, or to Ghotki - he is known for his ‘talent’ in Kandhkot-Kashmore, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Nawabshah, Naushehro Feroze and even Multan.

Golo, who is in his thirties, started his business from his native town but it quickly spread across the entire district and then other parts of the country.  He reportedly started making money in hundreds, then thousands and now in millions.

“Whatever amount you give him, he makes double the money within a month. I gave him Rs100,000 and got Rs200,000 in return - his business has magic,” said Khalil Ahmed Soomro. “To my knowledge, he has not cheated anyone yet.” Soomro is not aware of Golo’s business but said that it was not his concern. “I am only concerned with my profit and for now, I am satisfied with the ‘business’,” he added.

No traces, no records

According to Don Golo’s clients, he doesn’t give a receipt or share information about who else has invested and how much. He only takes his shareholders in confidence, assuring them that the money will double after a month. “He sends the money somewhere and maybe makes an investment to get the profit - but how and where we don’t know,” said one of the shareholders. Golo’s business is not limited to money - he also accepts gold and vehicles.

‘Shady’ details

Golo does his business through his agents and sub-agents in different towns which has raised concerns among some about how reliable his business actually is.

“I know several people have received the amount they were promised. He hasn’t cheated anyone as yet but I am sure he’ll run away with the money one day,” said resident Muhammad Shoban. “Everyone wants to make money, especially when it’s a shortcut such as this one, but I can’t take the risk.”

Sharing the example of Double Shah of Multan, Shoban feared that Don Golo would flee once his ‘game’ crosses billions. “I am sure he is waiting for a day when he will have enough money and then he will disappear.”

The police and local administration have suspicion of Golo’s illegal transactions but they haven’t taken any action. “We haven’t received any complaint as yet,” said SP Abdul Salam Shaikh. “We know he is involved in some sort of an illegal business but it is the responsibility of the federal institutes to take action.” Clerics and religious party leaders have also termed his business illegal and against the teachings of Islam. “It is illegal and based on interest,” declared Mian Abdul Malik of Dargah Bharchundi Sharif. “We had a meeting with top police officials and asked them to take action against him [Don Golo],” said Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl’s Maulvi Muhammad Ishaque Laghari. “We will protest if appropriate steps are not taken against the so-called business.”

Golo’s private security has cordoned off the village and no one, especially people from the media, are allowed to meet him. According to a local media person, Shabir Bhatti, it was important to cover Golo’s story due to his increasing fame. “Avoiding media coverage is an indication that he is involved in illegal business.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2013.