By Srija Kumar
Pakistani authorities busted a human trafficking operation. Twenty-two men tried to enter Japan illegally. They posed as professional footballers with forged documents. Japanese officials intercepted and deported them. The key suspect, Malik Waqas, is now under arrest in Gujranwala. He allegedly charged a large sum from each individual. Waqas had previously orchestrated a similar scheme earlier this year.
In a shocking turn of events, Japanese authorities have arrested a fake football team from Pakistan attempting to enter the country illegally. The 22 men, all dressed in full football kits and carrying forged documents, claimed to represent the Pakistan Football Federation. Their plan fell apart during immigration checks in Japan, which led to their arrest and eventual deportation.
Investigators identified Malik Waqas, a resident of Pasroor in Sialkot, as the key suspect behind the racket. He had created a fake football club called Golden Football Trial. According to officials, Waqas charged between Rs 4 million and Rs 4.5 million from each individual for the Japan trip. The FIA’s Composite Circle in Gujranwala arrested him on September 15, and several cases have been registered against him Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency , the suspects travelled wearing full football kits, carried forged no-objection certificates allegedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and claimed links to the Pakistan Football Federation. The documents were presented as official clearance for their travel.
Japanese immigration officers became suspicious during routine questioning. Their inquiries revealed discrepancies in the men’s claims, exposing the fraud. The group was deported back to Pakistan. Questions remain over how the suspects managed to board international flights from Pakistani airports without detection, Geo News reported.