Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has busted a human trafficking ring in which men disguised as professional footballers attempted to illegally enter Japan, officials said. Twenty-two suspects, all claiming to be players, were arrested after Japanese authorities exposed the fraud.
According to FIA sources, the men travelled in full football gear, asserting links with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and carrying forged no-objection certificates (NOCs) allegedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Japanese immigration officers grew suspicious during questioning, leading to the group’s deportation back to Pakistan. Authorities have not clarified how the men managed to board flights from Pakistani airports without detection
