Pakistani cryptocurrency trader Mohammed Arsalan was kidnapped in Karachi's Manghopir area on December 25, 2024. The abductors, impersonating police officers, forced him to transfer $340,000 worth of digital assets through his Binance account before releasing him near the Brigade police station.
Following his release, Arsalan filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Manghopir police. The investigation, led by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) and the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), resulted in the arrest of seven suspects, including individuals identified as Ashar, Mohammed Rizwan Shah, Umer Irshad, Muzamil Raza, Tariq Hasan Shah, Noman Riffat, and Umer Jilani. Notably, a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officer was among those apprehended, while another police officer remains at large.
Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon emphasized the department's commitment to addressing such crimes, stating that any officers involved would face strict disciplinary action, potentially including dismissal from service.
This incident highlights the risks associated with face-to-face cryptocurrency transactions and underscores the importance of exercising caution in such dealings.