The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a warning that criminal syndicates operating across Southeast Asia are targeting Pakistanis with fraudulent job offers, particularly in the IT and call-center sectors.
According to FIA Deputy Director Mehmood Ali Khokhar, these groups are active in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and lure victims by promising high-paying positions and rapid employment. Once individuals arrive, they are coerced into cybercrime and financial fraud schemes.
Khokhar stated that the criminal networks confiscate victims’ passports, issue threats, and extort money from families if they refuse to comply. He advised job seekers to verify overseas employment claims through official channels and report suspicious activity to the FIA before making travel arrangements. He warned that offers that appear promising “could turn into a nightmare.”
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The FIA has launched a public awareness campaign following a surge in cases involving Pakistanis trapped in fake call-center operations.
Earlier this year, Thai and Cambodian authorities rescued 215 foreign nationals from a major scam operation, including 50 Pakistanis. In another incident, 38 Pakistanis fled to Thailand during an army crackdown on scam centers in Myanmar, while 60 others remain in shelters awaiting verification. According to the FIA, many victims are trafficked into these networks and forced to participate in large-scale cyber fraud schemes.
