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Karachi: Policeman Among 7 Arrested for Kidnapping Crypto Trader
Karachi police arrest seven suspects, including a CTD officer, for abducting a cryptocurrency trader and extorting $340,000. IG Ghulam Nabi Memon vows strict action against rogue officers.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-04
Karachi: Policeman Among 7 Arrested for Kidnapping Crypto Trader

Seven suspects, including an officer from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a cryptocurrency trader and extorting $340,000 from him. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Muhammad Arsalan, was released after the ransom was paid.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed the involvement of a CTD officer in the crime and stated that efforts were underway to apprehend another absconding policeman linked to the case.

The Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC), which led the investigation, revealed that the arrested suspects include Haris alias Ashhar, Muhammad Rizwan Shah, Tariq Hassan Shah alias Aamir, Muzammil Raza, Umar Jilani, Umar Irshad, and Noman Rifaat.

The victim, a cryptocurrency trader, was abducted from Manghopir on December 25. According to the AVCC, the kidnappers forcibly accessed Arsalan’s Binance account, transferring $340,000 to various accounts, before abandoning him near the Quaid-e-Azam shrine.

Kidnapping Incident
The incident began when Arsalan was approached by a man named Hamid, who expressed interest in buying US dollars. Despite declining the deal multiple times, Arsalan eventually encountered Hamid and his associates on December 24 at his office in Saima Arabian Villas.

The suspects lured Arsalan to a nearby hotel, where plainclothes men posing as police officers arrived in an unmarked van. Arsalan was forcibly taken to the FIA office, where his cryptocurrency account was accessed and funds were transferred. The kidnappers also reset his phone before releasing him.

Swift Action by AVCC
Following the registration of an FIR at the Manghopir police station, the case was handed over to the AVCC for investigation. A team led by SSP AVCC Anil Haider Minhas conducted multiple raids across Karachi on January 3, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects.

The AVCC identified the accused as repeat offenders with prior criminal records. Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend additional suspects involved in the crime.

Police Accountability
IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon clarified that the CTD as an institution was not involved in the crime and reaffirmed his commitment to holding rogue officers accountable. "Whenever a policeman is found involved in illegal activity, we take immediate action," he said.

Memon assured the public that no leniency would be shown towards officers engaging in unlawful acts, adding that those found guilty would face FIRs, departmental action, and dismissal from service.

Public Reaction
The case has sparked outrage, highlighting concerns about misuse of authority and the vulnerability of cryptocurrency traders to extortion schemes.

The AVCC urged citizens to report any suspicious activity and assured them of continued efforts to maintain law and order in the city.

 
Tagged:

PoliceCorruption

KarachiCryptoCrime

CryptoScam

AVCCAction
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