The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested Waqas Ali for his involvement in a scheme to smuggle Pakistani citizens to Japan using fraudulent football credentials. Ali facilitated the acquisition of short-term Japanese visas for 17 people, misrepresenting them as members of a football team. The visa applications were supported by fabricated documents, including a forged registration letter from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and a counterfeit No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The group’s departure to Japan on January 1, 2024, and their subsequent failure to return has raised suspicions of illegal immigration. The FIA is investigating the use of sports exchanges and cultural tours as a cover for illicit activities. Individuals paid between INR 4 to 4.5 million for this venture. Authorities are actively pursuing further arrests and verifying financial records.
