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RAWALPINDI:
The FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad arrested the main accused involved in a US visa fraud case on Monday.
According to officials, a case was registered against Sheikh Syed Saifuddin Arefi, alias Usman Gilani, in light of a tip-off from the US Embassy. Police investigation revealed that the accused tried to send several visa applicants to the US using fake documents. The accused and his accomplices provided fake invitations, fake letters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other documents to the applicants on the pretext of attending the “Festival of Sufi Wisdom” alleged to be held in the US.
According to officials, the accused gathered billions of rupees by tricking gullible citizens into paying him for facilitating their visit visa process. With some of his clients, he signed contracts ranging from Rs450,000 to 700,000.
He continued to deceive people by posing as an influential figure as he claimed to be a government employee and a close relative of the Pir of Golra Sharif. He also told clients that he had sent two groups of 12 people abroad in 2023 and 2024.
The accused was found to have been colluding with other agents to prepare fake DS-160 forms, invitations and he also offered clients prep sessions for visa interviews.
