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🇸🇬 Singapore /Crime & Justice

Pakistan detains 258 foreigners in scam centre raid

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Pakistani authorities detained 258 foreigners, including 40 Chinese nationals, at a suspected scam call center in Islamabad.
  • The individuals, who arrived on tourist visas, were allegedly operating the call center in a housing society.
  • Detainees from Vietnam, Malaysia, and other Asian countries are held in jail, with embassies notified and potential deportation considered.

Pakistani authorities have detained 258 foreigners, including 40 Chinese nationals, after raiding an alleged scam call center in the capital, Islamabad. The operation took place in Gulberg Green, a housing society on the city's outskirts.

An official from the Federal Investigation Agency stated that the detained individuals, who included 170 people from Vietnam and nationals from Malaysia and other Asian countries, had entered Pakistan on tourist visas. They were reportedly not permitted to engage in the activities they were conducting at the call center.

They were running a scam call center in Gulberg Green, a housing society on the outskirts of Islamabad.

— Official from the Federal Investigation AgencyDescribing the location and nature of the alleged operation.

The detainees are currently being held at a jail in Rawalpindi. Respective embassies have been informed of the detentions, and details of the allegations are expected to be released as the investigation proceeds. Possible outcomes include the deportation of those involved.

This incident follows a similar raid in July 2025, where 149 people, predominantly Chinese nationals, were arrested for allegedly working for a large call center involved in Ponzi schemes and investment fraud. AFP has reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry for comment.

They came to Pakistan on tourist visas and were not allowed to do what they were doing.

— Official from the Federal Investigation AgencyExplaining the legal status and alleged illicit activities of the detainees.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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