KARACHI: Authorities have escalated their investigation into the Mustafa Amir murder case by registering a money laundering case against the primary accused, Armaghan.
According to details, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Money Laundering Circle lodged the case based on a government complaint, accusing Armaghan of running a sophisticated financial fraud network. Investigators estimate he was generating between $300,000 and $400,000 per month through fraudulent activities.
Officials allege that Armaghan funneled illicit earnings into digital currencies and used multiple bank accounts under employees’ names to obscure his financial operations. Reports also suggest he used these funds to acquire luxury vehicles, three of which remain in his possession, while five have already been sold.
Expanding Financial Crimes Investigation
The investigation further reveals that Armaghan previously worked in call centers before launching his own illegal operation in 2018. His call center, allegedly staffed with 25 employees, is suspected of defrauding at least five American citizens daily by extracting financial information and illicitly transferring funds.
Authorities claim that the proceeds from these fraudulent activities were laundered through international channels, linking Armaghan to a suspected money laundering network in the United States. The probe also highlights that his call center facilitated international calls, reinforcing suspicions of cross-border financial crimes.
Additionally, FIA investigators suspect that Armaghan and his father established a company in the U.S. to facilitate hawala hundi transactions. Forensic audits of his accounts, digital transactions, and assets are underway, while law enforcement agencies work to identify other individuals linked to the fraud network.
Background: The Murder of Mustafa Amir
The case began when Mustafa Amir, a resident of Defence, was reported missing on January 6. His mother filed a missing person’s report the following day. On January 25, she received a ransom call from a U.S. number demanding Rs20 million, prompting authorities to add kidnapping-for-ransom charges to the case.
Acting on intelligence, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) raided Armaghan’s residence in Defence on February 9. The suspect allegedly resisted arrest and opened fire on law enforcement officers, injuring DSP AVCC Ahsan Zulfiqar and a constable before being subdued and taken into custody.
During initial interrogation, Armaghan confessed to murdering Mustafa and disposing of his body in Malir. However, he later retracted his statement. Further investigations, assisted by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and federal agencies, led to the arrest of his associate, Shiraz.
Shiraz admitted that Armaghan had tortured and killed Mustafa on January 6 before transporting the body to Hub, Balochistan, where it was set on fire. Following his confession, police recovered Mustafa’s burnt vehicle from Hub. The charred remains—initially retrieved by local authorities and buried by a welfare organization—were later identified through DNA testing.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities intensifying efforts to uncover the full extent of Armaghan’s financial and criminal network.
