Karachi: In a significant move, Sindh Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon has taken action against two senior police officers over their involvement in recent short-term kidnappings and digital robberies in the city. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Incharge Raja Omar Khattab and the DSP of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) security force, Farukh, have been removed from their positions.

A notification has been issued for the removal of both officers, with orders for them to report to the Central Police Office. According to the notification, mobile phones were used in both short-term kidnappings and Bitcoin robberies, and there have been past instances of CTD officers’ involvement in such crimes.

Sources have revealed that online fraudsters operating in the city were allegedly backed by CTD officials, and these fraud syndicates were collecting monthly extortion fees from various call centers involved in online fraud activities.

It is worth noting that the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) in Karachi had earlier arrested seven individuals, including a CTD official, on charges of kidnapping a cryptocurrency dealer and transferring $340,000 from his account. The AVCC reported that, on December 25, kidnappers traveling in a police mobile vehicle abducted cryptocurrency businessman Arsalan from Manghopir. The abductors then brought him to Saddar, transferred money from his account, and dumped the victim near the Quaid’s Mausoleum before fleeing the scene.

Authorities have registered a case against the suspects under charges of kidnapping for ransom, and investigations are ongoing.