KARACHI: Extortionists appear to have become active again in Karachi, with a trader in the city’s Hyderi Market receiving a threatening voice message demanding money. ARY News has obtained a copy of the message.
Unknown suspects allegedly demanded Rs5 million from the cloth trader through a WhatsApp voice message sent from a foreign number. The suspects also threatened the trader with serious consequences if he failed to pay the extortion money.
According to the trader, the suspects threatened to target him at his shop and also issued death threats against his children.
The trader said he was no longer sending his children to school or madrassa and that the family had been forced to remain confined to their home due to security concerns.
The trader further alleged that police had failed to cooperate despite being contacted.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a key alleged member of a gang involved in extortion during an operation against the Samad Kathiawari group in Karachi.
Read more: Karachi: Two suspected extortionists killed in Ittehad Town shootout
The suspect was identified as Syed Usama Ali. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Samiullah Somroo, a hand grenade was recovered from the suspect.
According to police, the suspect allegedly filmed targets and sent the videos to gang commanders on the instructions of the Samad Kathiawari group. He would then carry out various activities on the directions of the gang’s commanders.
The SSP SIU said the suspect’s alleged facilitation in firing incidents targeting Gujaba Sweets and Marfani Travels had also come to light.
A case has been registered against the suspect at the SIU police station, and further investigation is underway.
