Pakistani (Digital Post) Police Track Down International Romance Scam Suspect, Return Stolen Funds to Dubai Account

Khanewal, Punjab (Digital Post)— Pakistani police say they have successfully located and recovered funds stolen from a woman in the United Arab Emirates who was allegedly defrauded by a man claiming to be her suitor, in an operation that underscores growing concerns over cross‑border romance scams targeting expatriates. According to local officials, the suspect — identified as Abdul Jabbar, a resident of village 106 DSR, Khanewal District — fled to Pakistan after allegedly stealing 10,000 UAE dirhams from the Dubai account of Harpitrit Kaur, a Sikh woman from India’s Punjab region. Pakistani police said the woman had met the man in Dubai, where he convinced her of his romantic intentions and, she claims, was injured in an accident and later treated with her support. The woman later traveled to Pakistan and developed a relationship with him, but she alleges that he absconded with her money and returned to his home in central Punjab without honoring his promise of marriage. Distressed, she turned to social media and directly appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for assistance. Under instructions from senior officials, a special investigative team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Khalid Javed Joyah was formed. Using field intelligence and modern tracking techniques, the unit located the suspect and recovered the stolen amount. Authorities said the recovered funds were promptly transferred back to Kaur’s Dubai bank account. In a public statement posted on social media, the victim thanked both the Punjab chief minister and the Khanewal police for their “swift justice,” saying the outcome had restored both her finances and her faith in the authorities. Officials emphasized that cross‑border fraud remains a significant challenge for law enforcement in South Asia and the Gulf states, as digital communication and social media continue to be exploited by scammers who lure victims with promises of romance and financial gain. They say the case highlights the need for enhanced international cooperation and stronger safeguards to protect expatriates and others vulnerable to such schemes.