KARACHI: Azizabad Police conducted a targeted operation on Wednesday, arresting eight individuals, including six posing as journalists, for allegedly harassing and extorting local shopkeepers and street vendors.
The Incident According to police officials, the group arrived at a shop in the Azizabad area under the guise of “media coverage.” A heated argument broke out between the suspects and the shopkeeper, prompting locals to alert the authorities. Police arrived at the scene promptly, taking all eight individuals into custody.
Modus Operandi During the initial investigation at the police station, it was revealed that the suspects had created a fake news website to masquerade as legitimate media personnel. They used this fraudulent identity to intimidate shopkeepers and roadside vendors across various neighborhoods.
Key Suspects The police identified the ringleader of the group as Tauseef, who reportedly orchestrated the extortion activities. The arrested individuals include Tauseef, Shahab, Rehan, Nadeem, Ehtesham, Javed, Adnan, and Salamat.
Current Status Azizabad Police have formally registered a case against the suspects. Further investigations are underway to determine if the group is linked to other criminal activities or if there are more members operating under similar fake identities in the city.
