Illegal Pakistani football team apprehended in Japan, expelled following visa fraud incident that triggered security concerns
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Pakistan is currently investigating a suspected sports visa scam that may be part of a larger operation involving human trafficking. The investigation is a continuation of the proceedings from a previous case, which involved the deportation of a 22-member 'football team' allegedly sent to Japan, and the arrest of Waqas Ali, a suspected human trafficking agent.
According to the FIA, the recent arrest of Waqas Ali may lead to additional arrests as the agency investigates financial transactions and verifies the authenticity of the letters, stamps, and registrations used in the documentation. The alleged scheme involved arranging 15-day Japan visit visas for the individuals, facilitated by forged invitation letters from the Boavista Football Club.
The FIA estimates that the charge for this operation was around Rs 4 - 4.5 million per person. The group of 17 individuals traveled to Japan on January 1, 2024, and has not returned, prompting officials to suspect it was an attempted illegal migration. The exploitation of recognizable football branding and federation documentation reduced scrutiny during the application and arrival phases of the process.
To address these issues, the FIA is working to improve security measures at Japan's immigration checkpoints and collaborating with appropriate organizations to address loopholes. The agency has advised applicants and families to confirm the credentials of sports tours prior to making significant payments.
The FIA is also investigating the use of forged documents such as registration letters and No-Objection certificates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the visa application process. The agency collaborates with football governing bodies like FIFA, UEFA, national football associations, law enforcement agencies, and integrity units to investigate and close loopholes exploited by fraud schemes involving impostors misusing respected football brands and federations' documentation.
This incident highlights the lucrative black market taking advantage of athlete and cultural exchange visas. The development was initially reported by Dawn. The FIA suspects that 17 individuals were sent to Japan under the guise of footballers by the suspect, and the agency is looking into potential additional arrests and further investigations.
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