KARACHI: Another incident of short-term kidnapping has been reported in Karachi, where unknown armed assailants abducted a young man associated with the cryptocurrency business and transferred thousands of dollars from his digital account.
According to initial reports, the victim had left his residence in Gulistan-e-Jauhar for Karachi airport to travel to Lahore. However, before reaching the airport, he was intercepted on Sharea Faisal by armed suspects travelling in a double-cabin vehicle.
The assailants abducted him and transferred thousands of dollars from his digital accounts during captivity. After the transaction, the suspects released the victim in Korangi Industrial Area and fled the scene.
District Malir SSP Dr Abdul Khalique Pirzada has confirmed that an investigation has been initiated into the recent short-term kidnapping of a young man linked to cryptocurrency transactions.
Speaking to The News, SSP Pirzada said he had just been informed about the incident. “A boy aged around 18 to 19 years has reported that his cab was intercepted and he was taken away by unidentified individuals, who later transferred funds from his digital account,” he stated.
He added that police have begun a detailed investigation into the case. “We are first reviewing CCTV footage from the routes involved, while also engaging technical experts to help trace the digital accounts to which the currency was transferred. This will assist us in identifying and tracking down the suspects,” he said.
The SSP further stated that he would personally meet the victim to conduct a detailed interview, which would help in better understanding the case and facilitate progress in tracing those involved.
The victim’s father, Rehan Khan, confirmed the incident and shared details of the ordeal.
According to Rehan Khan, his son, Mutaal Khan, a resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, had booked an online cab to travel to Karachi airport for a flight to Lahore. Near the airport, the cab driver stopped to refuel. Shortly after resuming the journey on Sharea Faisal, a white double-cabin pickup truck approached them.
He said around four armed men, wearing apparently blue-coloured uniforms that were neither standard police attire nor traditional clothing, were inside the vehicle. Two of the suspects got down, pointed weapons at his son and forced him out of the cab, claiming that his vehicle had hit another car and that he needed to go to a police station.
“They took my son with them in their vehicle and drove him around for nearly one and a half hours before eventually abandoning him in Korangi Industrial Area,” Rehan Khan stated.
“During this time, they kept him at gunpoint, harassed and threatened him, and transferred $8,600 from his digital account. Before fleeing, they also took away his two mobile phones and a MacBook M4,” he added.
Rehan Khan said it would be premature to conclude whether the suspects were affiliated with any institution, but noted that they appeared highly organized. “They had done proper reconnaissance and had complete information. The way they handled the transfer of digital currency shows they were experts,” he said.
Following the incident, the victim, along with his father, approached the Airport Police Station to initiate legal proceedings.
