The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone has launched a major crackdown on a sophisticated human trafficking network responsible for luring Pakistani citizens from Gilgit-Baltistan with fake job offers, subsequently holding them hostage in Cambodia for forced bonded labour in illegal online scams.
The FIA’s Composite Circle Gilgit successfully arrested two primary suspects: Adnan Aslam (apprehended in Hunza) and Inamullah (taken into custody upon deportation after attempting to flee to China).
ایف آئی اے اسلام آباد کی کاروائی
کیمبوڈیا میں جعلی نوکریوں کے بہانے شہریوں کو جبری مشقت اور غیر قانونی آن لائن اسکیمز میں پھنسانے میں ملوث 2 بدنام زمانہ ملزمان عدنان اسلم اور انعام اللہ گرفتار
متاثرین نے رہائی کے لیے 2,000 تا 5,300 امریکی ڈالر بطور تاوان ادا کرکے رہائی حاصل کی pic.twitter.com/rnEpGzRYAc— Federal Investigation Agency – FIA (@FIA_Agency) December 6, 2025
Modus Operandi of the Network
The investigation revealed a systematic scheme of deception and forced labor:
- Deception and Recruitment: The suspects utilized online interviews to deceive victims with promises of lucrative employment abroad.
- Transportation: Victims were transported to Cambodia via Lahore airport.
- Confiscation and Detention: Upon arrival in Cambodia, their passports were confiscated. Victims were then detained in a building located near the Vietnam border.
- Forced Labour: The detainees were forced to work on illegal online scams.
- Ransom Demand: Agents associated with the network demanded large sums of money, ranging between $2,000 and $5,300, from the victims’ families in Pakistan to secure their release.
Investigators have established contact with the victims and their families, utilizing their input to identify and track the suspects.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The arrested suspects have been placed on a 12-day physical remand as the FIA continues its investigation into the transnational operation.
The agency has formed special teams tasked with tracing and arresting other members of the trafficking network. The FIA emphasized that all available resources are being utilized to pursue the case and dismantle the entire human trafficking ring responsible for exploiting Pakistani citizens.
