KARACHI: Police have arrested a 57-year-old man allegedly involved in stealing vehicles parked outside mosques in Karachi, the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) said.
The suspect, identified as Insaf Ali, was traced and arrested with the assistance of CCTV footage, according to the AVLC. Police said he belongs to Ghotki and had allegedly been involved in vehicle theft since 2005.
In a statement recorded after his arrest, the suspect reportedly admitted to beginning car theft activities in 2005.
Police said 14 cases had been registered against him in connection with vehicle theft.
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly targeted cars parked outside mosques during Fajr prayers. After stealing the vehicles, he would allegedly take them out of Karachi before the morning and transport them to Quetta, where they were sold.
Police said the suspect travelled from Ghotki to Karachi with the alleged intention of stealing vehicles and returned after carrying out the thefts.
Investigators have also identified a suspected buyer in Quetta who allegedly purchased stolen vehicles from Insaf Ali. Police said further efforts were being made to trace other individuals who surfaced during the investigation.
The AVLC said its operations had resulted in the recovery of more than 700 stolen vehicles across Karachi during the current year.
NCCIA raids alleged illegal call centre in Karachi
In a separate development, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has uncovered an alleged illegal call centre operating for several years at Business Avenue on Shahrah-e-Faisal.
According to investigators, the call centre employed dozens of people, including women and Afghan nationals allegedly residing in Pakistan without legal status.
Authorities said the facility could accommodate more than 50 workers at a time and was equipped with modern equipment, operating around the clock.
The NCCIA alleged that Ali Siddiqui alias Medi, Fawad Ahmed and Farooq were running the operation.
Investigators said male and female employees allegedly impersonated representatives of foreign financial institutions and companies while contacting people abroad. They were accused of using fraudulent tactics to obtain money and sensitive information from victims.
Authorities are also investigating the recruitment and employment of Afghan nationals at the facility, including the circumstances under which they were hired and their legal status in Pakistan.
