Karachi police have arrested two suspects and detained three for allegedly duping two Kenyan women seeking jobs in Pakistan. The victims were rescued after an operation in the city’s Scheme 33 Saudagaran Society conducted by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC), the Citizens Police Liaison Committee, and the district police on Thursday.

The suspects are accused of falsely offering jobs and business offers to the two victims, who were tricked into working here. They contacted the victims, Lule Abidi Kala and Teresa Wanja Mwangi, through social media.

Further investigation was under way by a specialised team, the AVCC officials said.

Police began the investigation after the Kenya High Commission in Islamabad contacted the CPLC with a request to trace the victims’ location.

Many online job scams have been reported in Pakistan in the recent past, with people trying to earn swift money amid soaring inflation and a tottering economy. Schemes based on high returns on investments have been an easy catch for scammers to lure people.

The two arrested men, Agha and Raja Hasnain, along with their accomplices are also accused of seizing the passports of the women. Gang leader Haider Rehman and his partner Nudratulain had managed to flee during the raid.

A case was registered under Section 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Sachal Police Station.

“Gabriel Abidi Kala had contacted the Kenya High Commission in Islamabad and informed them that OXOUI Director Haider Rehman brought his sister Lule Abidi Kala to Pakistan on March 18, 2023,” stated the complaint. It alleged that the suspect had tracked the victim.

Rehman and his accomplices allegedly brought Teresa Wanja Mwangi, the second victim, on February 02, 2022, here for the travel agency. The complaint claimed that the gang leader opened bank accounts in the name of Gabriel’s sister before bringing her here.

The Lule’s brother feared that bank accounts could be used for any criminal activity or funding of a terrorist organisation.

“The life of my sister is in danger. My sister and Teresa Wanja Mwangi should be rescued,” it said.

The clue in the investigation was Lule Abidi’s Pakistan location, which she had shared with her brother. Later, he conveyed it to the Kenya High Commission in the federal capital.