FIA Registers Case Against Accused in Mustafa Amir Murder Case

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed a new case against Armaghan, the primary suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder investigation. This case concerns his suspected involvement in operating an illegal hawala-hundi network, engaging in unlawful cryptocurrency transactions, and conducting online fraud.

The agency’s anti-money laundering unit registered the case on behalf of the state. According to the initial report (FIR), the accused allegedly participated in the illicit hawala-hundi and cryptocurrency business, generating up to $400,000 each month.

The FIR further stated that the accused, in collaboration with his father, formed a company in the United States to facilitate hawala-hundi operations.

The FIA stated that Armaghan allegedly converted the earnings from his illicit activities into cryptocurrency and used the funds to acquire vehicles. The accused possesses three vehicles valued in the millions, in addition to having sold five other vehicles previously.

The report also mentioned that the accused established bank accounts under the identities of two of his employees.

Furthermore, in 2018, he allegedly established an illegal call center to manage a structured network of online scams targeting citizens in the United States.

According to the case information, the call center obtained sensitive banking details from people in the US via phone calls, which were subsequently exploited to withdraw funds. The funds obtained through unlawful means were reportedly directly transferred to Armaghan. The agency alleges that Armaghan’s team consisted of 25 individuals, each of whom defrauded five individuals on a daily basis.

Previously, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi extended Armaghan’s custody to the FIA for an additional nine days in connection with a money laundering case. The extension was granted following the disclosure that the agency had not yet gained access to the suspect’s crypto wallets. The judge instructed the FIA officer to ensure the suspect’s appearance in court on the subsequent hearing date, April 24.

The FIA has charged Armaghan under sections 3 (money laundering offense) and 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 (Amended 2020). This case is related to the alleged abduction and killing of Mustafa, a BBA student who disappeared on January 6. The events unfolded after Armaghan allegedly fired upon an Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) team during a raid on his DHA residence in Karachi in February.

The deceased’s body, discovered by police in a vehicle near the Hub checkpost on January 12 and subsequently buried by the Edhi Foundation on January 16, was exhumed under the supervision of a judicial magistrate by a medical board comprising of three members.

The AVCC broadened the scope of the investigation by contacting the FIA to ascertain the nature of operations conducted at the call center discovered at Armaghan’s residence.