ISLAMABAD: A raid conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and intelligence agencies on a China-owned call center in Islamabad’s Sector F-11, suspected of being involved in international fraud, turned chaotic when locals ransacked the facility, looting laptops, electronics, and furniture.
The operation, which led to the detention of over two dozen individuals, including foreigners, was part of an ongoing effort to crack down on fraudulent activities linked to international crime rings. However, the raid quickly spiraled out of control, with crowds of young men storming the call center and stealing valuable equipment shortly after the authorities’ departure.
Several videos circulating on social media captured the scene, showing groups of individuals carrying laptops, monitors, and other electronic devices, as they rushed out of the building. The footage also depicted large crowds of people engaging in the theft of furniture and office supplies, raising concerns about the authorities’ ability to control the situation and maintain order during the operation.
Sources indicated that while the FIA and intelligence agencies had carried out the raid in a controlled manner, the situation quickly escalated when a large number of locals gathered outside the building. Witnesses reported that the looters appeared to be undeterred by the presence of security forces, who struggled to contain the chaos.
“It was total mayhem,” said one witness. “The authorities did what they could, but the crowd was too large, and no one was stopping them from taking whatever they wanted.”
The call center, which reportedly had foreign nationals among its staff, is under investigation for suspected involvement in international scams targeting unsuspecting victims. The FIA has yet to release further details on the specific nature of the fraud, but sources suggest it involved the manipulation of financial transactions.
In the aftermath of the raid, there has been widespread criticism of how the operation was handled. While the investigation into the call center’s activities continues, local authorities are facing scrutiny for their failure to prevent the looting that followed.
“The authorities need to take more precautions in the future to ensure that such chaos doesn’t unfold,” said a local resident. “This could have been handled better.”
As of now, the FIA has vowed to continue its investigation into the fraudulent activities at the call center and has called for increased vigilance and cooperation with local law enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.
