ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has expanded the scope of investigation in a case against private individuals who allegedly impersonated Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers at Islamabad international airport for going to France.
Sources told Business Recorder that the FIA has issued notices to a Deputy Collector of Customs and a customs constable, summoning them on Tuesday (today) under the ongoing investigation.
The agency has also sought details of other customs officers and personnel who allegedly provided protocol to these suspected individuals.
The FIA immigration staff had foiled an attempt at the Islamabad International Airport involving fake representation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) after intercepting two passengers who were attempting to travel to France on forged credentials.
According to sources, the involved FBR official, named in the FIR, has obtained interim bail on Monday while the local court has also granted judicial custody to private individuals arrested in this case.
It is pertinent to note that two passengers on Friday going to Paris when FIA officials stopped them and asked the purpose of visit.
Mobile phone analysis showed that both were in WhatsApp contact with a tax official who falsely projected himself as a Coordinator/ Officer and Second Secretary of the FBR.
He allegedly facilitated seeking of visit visas by misusing the name, position, and credibility of the tax authority. Investigators recovered documentary evidence of payments made for the visas, including bank transfer records.
The FIR revealed the nature, frequency, and volume of these transactions indicate the receipt of millions of rupees for arranging visit visas under the guise of official government business.
The FIA stated that the accused misused an official looking email address and falsely portrayed the passengers as members of an official FBR delegation to secure visas. The scam was aimed at enabling illegal migration and potential asylum in Europe in exchange for financial gains.
The tax official is alleged to have received approximately Rs5.3 million from the two passengers through bank transfers made in instalments.
During interrogation, the arrested suspects admitted they were not FBR employees and worked as a driver and a property dealer. They confessed to contacting the tax official to arrange French visas, which were obtained by falsely presenting them as FBR officials, sources said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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