LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) says criminal syndicates are operating in Southeast Asia targeting Pakistanis with fake job offers and warned that all those taking advantage of such “fake opportunities” should check thoroughly to avoid trouble.
“Criminal syndicates operating in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are targeting Pakistanis with fake job offers, especially in the IT sector – call centers and relevant jobs, promising high salaries. However, upon arrival, these Pakistanis are forced to carry out illegal activities, including cyber and financial crimes. Those who resist face serious consequences, including violence and extortion by the victim’s family,” FIA Deputy Director Mehmood Ali Khokhar.
He urged aspirants to first verify such job offers through legitimate sources or report such suspicious activities or persons to the FIA.
“Beware of false promises! As your dream job offer could be a nightmare,” the FIA official said.
Criminal syndicates operate in Thailand and Myanmar and target Pakistanis with fake job offers.
The FIA has also carried out a public campaign on social media in this regard after incidents emerged in which several Pakistanis were rescued from fake call centers in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.
This year, Thai and Cambodian authorities carried out a joint raid on a three-story building suspected of hosting a major cyber fraud operation. A total of 215 foreigners were released, including 50 Pakistanis, 109 Thais, 48 Indians, five Taiwanese and three Indonesians.
Similarly, in the other incident this year, the Thai military’s crackdown on scam centers in Myanmar led hundreds of trapped workers to flee across the border into Thailand. Some 38 Pakistanis were among those who crossed the border. Another 60 Pakistanis were in a shelter awaiting identification and document verification for repatriation.
According to the FIA, victims in these cases were often lured with false promises of lucrative jobs, but upon arrival, their passports were confiscated and they were forced to commit illegal cyber and financial crimes, such as “pig slaughter” scams.
Hundreds of thousands of people are reportedly trafficked each year across Southeast Asia and forced into these fraudulent operations.
Meanwhile, FIA Director Lahore Ali Zia paid a visit to Allama Iqbal International Airport and reviewed the immigration counters and facilities provided to passengers. Immigration officials were instructed to ensure courtesy and complete transparency in dealing with passengers.
“Officers deployed on international departures and arrivals were directed to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in their conduct. The FIA is committed to strengthening the immigration system in line with international standards,” he said.
“Actions against illegal travel, fake visas and human trafficking will be further intensified,” he said, reaffirming the agency’s determination that the FIA will continue its operations against human trafficking, illegal travel and corruption.
Published in Amanecer, December 4, 2025.
