Fake job Alert: Over 70 women allegedly scammed at Karachi Farmhouse

More than 70 women were allegedly lured to a Karachi farmhouse under the guise of a job opportunity.

Speaking to Dialogue Pakistan, victim Khushnuma said, the women were recruited through a WhatsApp job group with an offer of Rs2,000 per day for a 25-day activity in Bahria Town. They were reportedly told they would work at stalls representing different brands.

However, Khushnuma said the bus carrying the women took them to a farmhouse instead of Bahria Town. Upon arrival, they were allegedly told to stay there and enjoy themselves, as the owner was expected to arrive in the evening and they would then be taken to Bahria Town.

She said the women initially felt comfortable because they believed they were among other girls. Later, they were reportedly instructed to change, groom themselves and wear pants and shirts before the owner's arrival.

Khushnuma alleged that they were also told that girls who dressed more attractively would receive higher stipend.

According to Khushnuma, Salman, whom she identified as the organiser, repeatedly entered and left the farmhouse while remaining on phone calls. She alleged that he repeatedly instructed the women not to turn around and to sit straight.

She said that after some time, a coordinator entered the room and informed the women that the organiser had fled. Khushnuma alleged that Salman had taken the women's phones and escaped from the farmhouse.

Khushnuma said many of the women were working to support their families and were financially constrained, adding that women seeking employment should not have to face such risks.

She said police arrived around 1.5 to 2 hours after the incident, following which she registered an FIR. According to Khushnuma, Nargis, the bus driver and Waqas, who allegedly booked the farmhouse, were arrested by police.

She added that the women's phones, along with cash and CNIC cards belonging to several victims, were also missing.

Khushnuma further alleged that the women had suspected that something was wrong and claimed there may have been an intention to smuggle the girls. She also alleged that attractive girls were being instructed to sit in the front.

She urged authorities to take action against those responsible and ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.

Karachi police have arrested suspects in connection with the incident, while further investigation is underway.