A Pakistani Scammer’s Exploits: A Call for Justice

A Pakistani Scammer’s Exploits: A Call for Justice

Overview of the Incident

Faisal Iqbal, a Pakistani scammer, has swindled an Australian victim out of a significant amount of money through fraudulent practices. This troubling incident sheds light on serious shortcomings within Pakistan’s law enforcement and justice system, as the victim grapples with the challenge of recovering her funds.

A Cautionary Tale from Bahria Town, Lahore

Beware of Mr. Faisal Iqbal, a conman operating in Bahria Town, Lahore, Pakistan. His latest victims—a hardworking couple with six children, including a mother pregnant with twins—fell prey to his deceitful tactics. As the father works tirelessly to support his growing family, many Australians are struggling amidst a housing crisis, with some even resorting to living in tents despite being employed.

The Scam: A Family’s Nightmare

Mr. Iqbal defrauded this family of $1,000, a considerable sum in today’s economy. The mother, hereafter referred to as “the victim,” placed an order for custom clothing from Mr. Iqbal’s company, Impexpo Business International. After providing detailed measurements for her children, she was assured that her order would be fulfilled. When Mr. Iqbal quoted a shipping fee of $27.50 per kilogram, the victim reasonably inquired about cheaper alternatives. He insisted there were none, leading her to proceed with the order, believing the investment in custom clothing would eliminate the need for further tailoring.

Ultimately, she paid for 20 kg of shipping, only to discover that the package weighed less than 11 kg upon its arrival nearly five weeks later. This discrepancy resulted in an overcharge of nearly $250.

The Disappointment: Clothing Not as Promised

When the victim opened the box in mid-November 2023, she found poorly made clothing that was not the correct sizes or colors, and some items were even dirty and torn—far from the quality promised by Mr. Iqbal. In subsequent communications, he shockingly admitted to deliberately sending the wrong items, further aggravating the victim’s frustration.

When she demanded a refund, Mr. Iqbal claimed it would take two weeks to address the issue and then coldly stated, “There is no refund policy.” Overwhelmed by her pregnancy and the stress of the situation, the victim felt a wave of despair. In a final attempt to confront him, she threatened to report him to the authorities, to which he ominously replied that he had her details and would forward them to his legal department—a clear bluff.

Investigating the Conman’s Background

As public outrage grew, a Reddit thread discussing Mr. Iqbal’s actions garnered 139,000 views in just a few days. Amid the discussion, a comment suggested that Mr. Iqbal might be a struggling individual, prompting Strident News to investigate his residential address. Located in a well-off area of Bahria Town, Lahore, this raised questions about Mr. Iqbal’s financial struggles.

Reporting the Scammer to the Police

The victim reached out to the Khidmat Markaz Police in Bahria Town, Lahore, hoping for decisive action. With international attention on this case, there are concerns that mishandling it could negatively impact Pakistan’s tourism industry. We advocate for a thorough investigation into his home and business practices.

Many Reddit users expressed skepticism regarding the integrity of the police, fearing that the scammer might bribe officials due to the affluence of his neighborhood. However, we believe that public scrutiny will compel law enforcement to act responsibly.

Strident News contacted the Inspector General’s office in Lahore and spoke with the assistant deputy inspector general. Initially, the deputy insisted that the scammer return the victim’s funds. Unfortunately, after a few days, his tone shifted, directing the victim to contact the Pakistani Embassy in Australia for potential criminal charges. When the victim reached out, the embassy informed her that their focus is solely on visa issues. This disheartening response raises suspicions of corruption within the police force and highlights systemic incompetence.

The Role of Alibaba: A Breeding Ground for Scammers?

You might wonder how a family could be scammed out of such a large sum. The victims had previously interacted with Mr. Iqbal on Alibaba, where he initially delivered satisfactory products. Five years ago, they placed a small sample order, leading them to believe he was trustworthy. Unfortunately, he played the long game, cultivating their trust before ultimately betraying it.

Now, as they needed quality clothing for religious gatherings, the victim reached out to him again, believing his claims of improved quality. His use of Islamic phrases and demeanor further instilled confidence, but he insisted on payments outside the Alibaba platform—a significant red flag.

Alibaba’s Responsibility

Mr. Iqbal claims to be an Alibaba Paid Gold Supplier Member since 2006. However, his business practices raise questions about Alibaba’s oversight. The platform should ensure that merchants conduct transactions within their system to protect buyers. Strident News has reported this incident to Alibaba’s legal and compliance department but has yet to receive a response.

The Victim’s Bank Transfer and Remitly’s Role

The victim sent her payment through Remitly, but when she attempted to reverse the transaction upon realizing she had been scammed, her account was closed instead. Remitly’s refusal to assist further compounds the distress experienced by the victim, leading to public outcry against their services.

The Son’s Involvement

Strident News suspects that Mr. Iqbal’s son, Muhammed Moiz Faisal, may be complicit in this scam. His bank account is linked to the fraudulent activities, suggesting a family operation. Investigations are underway to confirm his involvement.

Reporting to the Federal Investigations Agency (FIA)

The victim has also filed a report with the Federal Investigations Agency (FIA) of Pakistan, which is known for tackling cybercrime. Despite claims of its effectiveness, Strident News has waited eight weeks for a response, leading us to question the agency’s capabilities.

Communication with officials has revealed a lack of professionalism, with many struggling with English. This has contributed to the growing belief that systemic corruption hampers progress in addressing such crimes.

Alerting Scamwatch Australia

While Scamwatch Australia primarily informs Australians about domestic scams, they can provide insights into this case to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Watch out for the scammers other businesses

Strident News has conducted an in-depth investigation and uncovered troubling details about Mr Faisal Iqbal who is operating multiple businesses under questionable pretenses.

Business Guru Baba

Faisal, who also goes by the name Guru Baba, claims to impart business wisdom through his platform, Business Guru Baba. However, our findings raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of his operations.

This enterprise purports to teach aspiring entrepreneurs how to engage in business successfully. Yet, there are allegations that the advice provided is not only misleading but also lacks the necessary foundation for sustainable success. Many who have participated in his programs report feeling more confused than enlightened.

Impexpo Business International

This venture operates as a paid gold supplier on Alibaba (Alibaba ID: Impexpo). While it markets itself as a reputable trading company, reports suggest that customers have faced issues with product quality and service delivery. Complaints regarding undelivered goods and unresponsive customer service are common, raising red flags about its operational practices.

Miswakspk.com

This website claims to sell miswak sticks, a traditional teeth-cleaning tool. Despite its appeal to health-conscious consumers, there are concerns about the authenticity and sourcing of the products. Customers have expressed dissatisfaction with both the product quality and the lack of transparency regarding sourcing practices.

Community Reactions on Reddit

The Reddit community has actively engaged with this issue. Many users have echoed the need to name and shame the scammer, aligning with Strident News’ mission to deter future scams.

However, some commenters expressed extreme frustration and even suggested violent retribution against the scammer. At Strident News, we firmly believe in pursuing justice through lawful means rather than resorting to illegal actions.

While many Redditors recommended contacting Pakistani authorities, others sought more information to raise awareness on social media. We aim to facilitate this by sharing the article widely.

A minority within the Pakistani community has shockingly rationalized scamming foreigners, mistakenly believing that Westerners lead lavish lives supported by welfare. Such misguided views perpetuate negative stereotypes and fail to address the underlying issues within their society.

The Broader Perspective

This article has reached hundreds of thousands, yet not a single Pakistani has offered even a small donation to support the victim. The reactions on Reddit have included a mix of support for the scammer and belittling of the victim, painting a troubling picture of societal attitudes.

Strident News has received numerous messages from individuals offering to harm the scammer, illustrating a concerning mindset among some commenters. While we appreciate the passion, it’s crucial to seek justice through appropriate channels rather than resorting to threats or violence.

The overarching message is clear: conducting business with individuals from Pakistan can be fraught with risk. Our experiences highlight the prevalence of scams and a general culture of dishonesty that can undermine trust.

How You Can Help

We urge our readers to share this article across social media platforms, spreading awareness of this scammer. Our goal is to leverage the power of social media to bring scammers to justice and ensure they face consequences for their actions.

If you live near Mr. Faisal Iqbal or have information about him, we encourage you to alert your local community about his fraudulent activities. Please also communicate your concerns to the Bahria Town police department, urging them to pursue justice for the victims.

For those wishing to assist the victims, donations can be made through our platform. If you require an invoice in your local currency, please email Strident News at admin@stridentnews.com with “Donation” in the subject line and specify your intended amount.