Pakistani Nationals Deported from Japan in Visa Scam Involving Fake Football Team

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended Waqas Ali, a resident of Pasroor in Sialkot, for allegedly facilitating the trafficking of Pakistani citizens to Japan under the guise of a sports delegation. Ali secured short-term Japanese visas for 17 individuals, falsely representing them as football players. The visas were purportedly based on an invitation from the Boavista Football Club, and the application included forged documents, such as a fake registration letter from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and a fraudulent No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The group departed for Japan on January 1, 2024, and their failure to return has raised suspicions of illegal immigration. Each individual reportedly paid between INR 4 to 4.5 million for the journey. The FIA is investigating the use of sports exchanges and cultural tours as a cover for illicit activities.