Police Seek Technical Assistance From FIA For Ransom Recovery
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The police have sought technical assistance from the Federal Investigation Agency for the recovery of a ransom amount — around $340,000 worth of digital coins. A cryptocurrency trader paid this fee to secure his release following an abduction on Dec 25, 2024 at approximately 1:40am by five individuals in plain clothes inside a police vehicle without visible number plates.
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Investigating Officer (IO) of the case informed that he had written to FIA seeking technical assistance as suspects involved allegedly moved funds from cryptocurrency wallets following their abduction — specifically transferring $340,000 worth digital coins between different accounts after forcibly opening an account at Binance.
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The crypto trader named Muhammad Arsalan was taken by the suspects near FIA Saddar office and had his cell phone reset before he is dropped back to a mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam, where they released him after receiving payment for their demands from another individual.
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Following this incident eight individuals — including two Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials Ali Sajad and Muhammad Umer alongside Mohammed Rizwan Shah, Noman Riffat, Tariq Hasan Shah, Muzamil Raza, and Haris Ashar — were arrested.
IO says suspects transferred $340,000 from victim’s account into their digital wallets; ATC extends remand of eight men for five days
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The IO brought the accused before a judge in Clifton on Wednesday and requested an extension to custody. He mentioned needing more time due to suspect’s cunning behavior, suggesting they are part of organized group with common intention as per Sections 365-A (kidnapping for extortion) and 34 & Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act -1997.
During the proceeding: IO requested an identification parade to be conducted after court’s permission; his aim is also to recover ransom from arrested suspects, for which he sought technical assistance from FIA and highlighted that their accomplices Hamad, Zaman, Muzamil Raza, Ali Raza Rasheed Lodhi have yet been apprehended.
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A case has already been filed under Sections 365-A (kidnapping or abduction for extorting property) and Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act -1997, indicating their actions are criminal in nature which might link them to any broader organized crime elements.
Published: Dawn, January 9th, 2025
