FIA Files Case Against Armaghan in Hawala-Hundi Network

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated a new case against Armaghan, the primary suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case. This new case concerns his alleged involvement in managing a hawala-hundi operation, engaging in unlawful cryptocurrency transactions, and conducting online fraud.

The agency’s anti-money laundering unit registered the case on behalf of the government.

According to the FIR (First Information Report), the suspect was reportedly involved in illicit hawala-hundi and cryptocurrency activities, allegedly generating up to $400,000 monthly.

The FIR further alleges that the accused, along with his father, established a US-based entity to facilitate hawala-hundi operations.

The agency stated that Armaghan purportedly converted illicit earnings into cryptocurrency and acquired vehicles using these funds.

Reportedly, the accused possesses three vehicles valued in the tens of millions and previously sold five other vehicles.

Additionally, he is accused of opening bank accounts under the names of two employees.

In 2018, he allegedly established an illegal call centre to operate a structured network of online scams targeting individuals in the United States.

The case details reveal that sensitive banking details were gathered through phone calls to the US from this call centre and subsequently used for unauthorized withdrawals.

It is alleged that funds acquired through these illegal means were directly transferred to Armaghan. The agency suggests that Armaghan’s team consisted of 25 individuals, each reportedly defrauding five people daily.

Previously, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi extended Armaghan’s custody to the FIA by an additional nine days in a separate money laundering case. This extension was granted after the court was informed that the agency had yet to access his crypto wallets.

The judge instructed the FIA officer to ensure the suspect’s appearance in court on the subsequent hearing date, April 24.

Armaghan faces charges under sections 3 and 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 (Amended 2020), related to money laundering offences.

The initial case involves the alleged abduction and killing of Mustafa, a BBA student who disappeared on January 6. The situation escalated when Armaghan allegedly opened fire on an Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) team during a raid on his DHA residence in Karachi in February.

The deceased’s body, discovered by law enforcement in a vehicle near the Hub checkpost on January 12 and subsequently buried by the Edhi Foundation on January 16, was exhumed by a medical team under judicial supervision.

Investigations have been expanded, with the AVCC collaborating with the FIA to determine the activities conducted at the call centre found at Armaghan’s residence.