A Karachi resident was abducted near Jinnah International Airport and allegedly forced at gunpoint to transfer $8,600 from his digital account, in a disturbing case that has raised renewed concerns over rising crimes involving digital payments and online financial platforms.
According to the victim’s family, the man had left his home on Wednesday night to travel to Lahore when the incident took place during his ride in an online-hailing vehicle.
How the abduction unfolded
The victim’s father said the driver stopped at a petrol pump along the route, where four armed men arrived in a double-cabin vehicle and intercepted the ride. The suspects then forcibly took the passenger into their own vehicle at gunpoint.
He was reportedly kept moving for over an hour while the attackers accessed his digital financial account and transferred approximately $8,600.
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Mobile, laptop and belongings also stolen
In addition to the digital theft, the suspects also confiscated the victim’s mobile phone, laptop, and personal belongings. The family further stated that the victim was physically assaulted during the ordeal.
After several hours, the abductors abandoned him in the Korangi area before fleeing the scene.
Complaint yet to be registered
The victim’s father has claimed that despite the seriousness of the incident, a formal complaint has not yet been registered at the airport police station, raising questions over the response of law enforcement authorities.
Rising concerns over digital financial crimes
The incident adds to growing concerns about the misuse of digital wallets, online banking, and mobile financial platforms in violent street crimes. Security experts have warned that criminals are increasingly targeting individuals with access to traceable digital funds due to their immediate transfer capability.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or confirmed whether an investigation has been launched.
