ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has claimed to have recovered over Rs7 billion in various financial fraud cases and deposited the amount into the national exchequer, according to the agency’s annual report.
In 2022, the FIA received 13,9177 complaints, initiated 24,918 inquiries, and arrested 14,911 accused.
The report stated that around 4,881 cases were thoroughly investigated and brought before trial courts, while in 3,003 cases, the defendants received sentences. The FIA also handed over 3,574 acres of property valued at Rs25 billion to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) across the country.
The Financial Crime Wing of the FIA also curbed money laundering, hawala hundi, and other forms of illegal trade in 2022, the report stated. A special AML, CFT Directorate was formed for effective monitoring of anti-money laundering operations. The report also claimed that the Financial Crime Wing was crucial in getting Pakistan off the FATF’s ‘Grey List’.
The Immigration Wing of the FIA effectively combated human trafficking in their crackdown in 2022, arresting 11,741 suspects, the report said. The defendants were found guilty in 2,602 cases. The report further stated that 16.7 million passengers were screened by FIA Immigration officials in 2022 alone.
The Cyber Crime Wing detained 1,700 suspects in 2022. “798 people were arrested in connection with financial fraud charges, 67 in connection with cases involving child pornography, and 81 in connection with crimes involving blasphemy.”
Similarly, 63 hate speech cases were reported and 56 suspects were arrested. Additionally, 76 people were arrested, from whom 14,615 silicone thumbs and 16,211 fake active SIM cards were confiscated. Also, 50 Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices were recovered from their possession.
The FIA’s annual report highlighted the agency’s successful efforts in combating financial fraud, human trafficking, and cybercrime. It also demonstrated the agency’s commitment to cracking down on illegal activities and promoting law and order in Pakistan.
