FIA gears up efforts against fraudster

By Jamil Khan | KARACHI

 

THE Crime Cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has finally obtained permission from the Federal Interior Ministry and Banking Court to expand its investigation against Syed Faraz Hasan, a fraudster charged with embezzlement of around Rs 55 million.

Hassan, a resident of Karachi, had been working in a private money transfer firm’s branch located on Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, for the past six years and had reached the post of deputy manager at the branch. Over the past six months, Hassan, using a number of tactics, had swindled over Rs 55 million and disappeared from UAE just two days before Eid-ul-Fitr, submitting a seven-day leave application. He was living in Model Colony, Malir for the past two months and was apprehended by the FIA Crime Cell while on his way to the mosque for Eid-ul-Azha prayers last Tuesday. FIA Crime Cell Sub-Inspector told Daily Times that they had obtained permission from the Federal Interior Ministry, under Cr Pc 188, and from the Banking Court, under Cr Pc 1994, to further investigate the matter.

He said that the UAE government has provided the FIA with the details of transactions made by Hassan and his accomplices. “As he was the deputy manger of the branch and was trusted by the firm, the task became much easier for him. On various occasions, Hassan inserted an additional zero in the telegraphic transfer (TT) numbers, besides changing the names of beneficiaries, causing delays in the disbursement,” said the official.

He further mentioned that some of the transactions showed that Hassan had also directly withdrawn money from the accounts, transferring the money to his personal or his accomplices’ accounts set up in the UAE and Karachi.

Sources in the UAE told Daily Times that the firm had a chain of branches in the UAE, with their headquarters established in Abu Dhabi. According to the sources, an internal investigation against Hassan had already been launched a couple of months ago, as the firm had started receiving numerous complaints from customers.

– Published in Daily Times | Dec 16, 2008

Corruption: Suspended CDGK official still enjoying perks

By Jamil Khan | KARACHI

 

THE City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is yet to decide the fate of suspended CDGK Education (Local Bodies Wing) District Officer Shamim Ahmed Khan.
The official is still enjoying the benefits of his post despite being currently suspended. The concerned officials appointed for the inquiry are taking no interest in the case and are handing out favours instead.

After gathering proof, the city government took necessary action against Khan. He was suspended last year and an inquiry was conducted on corruption charges, which included the withdrawal of salaries of over 200 ghost employees, embezzlement in funds issued for schools and other wrongdoings.

The Karachi DCO had suspended Khan when he, with an accomplice, tried to sell one of the city government’s school buildings, school no 28/29, situated in Jamshed Town. The DCO had, consequently, ordered an inquiry which is still under process.

The statement of allegation against Khan reads as, “On perusal of findings and reports of the preliminary enquiry submitted by CDGK Education EDO Fakhar Karim Siddiqi, along with relevant records and papers, there is reason to believe that you, Shamim Ahmed Khan, while posted as Education District Officer, BPS-19, Local Bodies, Education Department, have maliciously accorded approval in conspiracies with others (lower staff). It further reads that Khan illegally occupied school no 28/29, Jamshed Town and handed it over to the so-called owner of the building by using some of the system’s own employees. It was further reported that the school was visited, the premises was opened and it was to have been massively damaged in an attempt to convert it into a residential building. The school records and furniture was also missing…”

According to documents obtained by this scribe, Khan was appointed in 1973 as watchman and worked till 1992 as temporary teacher. In the meantime, through an order issued on Aug 30, 1988, he was promoted to BS-11 and, later, through bribes, managed to rise to the position of assistant officer education on July 1, 1990, although, he did not have a B.Ed degree or any other required qualification for the post.

In 1992, Khan got the salary of grade BS-16 and the next year of BS-17, without any formal approval from the department promotional committee. In 2003, he got himself promoted to the grade of BS-19 and enjoyed the salary and perks, although, there is no BS-19 position in the department.

During the tenure of the last city government, Khan was also involved in the embezzlement of Rs 22 million from funds issued by the government for development work on CDGK schools located in all 18 towns.

He, along with accomplices, also withdrew the salaries of over 240 ghost employees of the education department, showing them as working in different towns of the city. Education department sources told Daily Times that he had also acquired a number of illegal assets, including five bungalows in KDA Scheme 33, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and around 16 flats in different parts of the city. The sources further revealed that an official of the education department has even allowed the provision of a vehicle and fuel for Khan, showing the lax approach of the government towards corrupt officials.

Moreover, Karachi DCO Javed Hanif Khan also confirmed to Daily Times that the inquiry is still in process and a decision is yet to be taken.

– Published in Daily Times | Dec 16, 2008