Latest news with #Armughan
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Express Tribune
Mustafa Amir murder: Armughan's father granted bail in illegal arms case
Listen to article A local court has granted bail to Kamran Asghar Qureshi, the father of Armughan, the main suspect in the Mustafa Aamir murder case, in an illegal arms case. The bail application was heard by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (South), who approved the bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000. During the hearing, defence counsel Khurram Awan argued that the case was baseless and registered solely because the accused is Armughan's father. He claimed that Kamran has been wrongfully implicated in multiple cases. The judge remarked that the accused should be released if not wanted in any other case. According to the prosecution, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell had booked Kamran Asghar Qureshi after recovering illegal weapons from his possession. A total of four FIRs have been lodged against him. Earlier, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi had extended the physical remand of Armughan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case, for an additional seven days. The court directed the investigation officer to submit a progress report at the next hearing. Prosecutors argued that more time was required to recover a laptop and mobile phone, which they believe contain crucial evidence. Armughan's defence counsel opposed the request, claiming that police had completed their investigation and further remand was unnecessary. However, the court sided with the prosecution and approved the extension. During the hearing, the judge inquired whether the seized evidence had been properly sealed, to which the investigation officer confirmed compliance. The court also permitted Armughan's parents to meet him briefly. Moreover, according to a report, Armughan had allegedly confessed to the crime and explained the reasons behind Mustafa's murder. The report revealed that Armughan ran a call centre at a bungalow in Defence Housing Authority's Khayaban-e-Momin area, where 30 to 40 boys and girls worked, along with 30 to 35 security guards stationed at the premises. The bungalow had allegedly housed three lion cubs illegally. An interrogation report also shed light on Armughan's involvement in business and drug use. Before Mustafa's murder, Armughan, along with his friend Shiraz, planned to burn Mustafa's car and had previously intended to harm him. The report revealed that in 2019, Armughan was involved in a case regarding drug import, but he secured bail in that matter. According to the investigation, Armughan himself was a drug user. On New Year's Eve, Armughan hosted a party at the bungalow, where Shiraz was also present until 3 am. However, Mustafa did not attend the party. The following day, Armughan and Mustafa had a personal dispute, which escalated into a violent confrontation. On January 6, Armughan invited Shiraz to the bungalow to take drugs together, and Mustafa arrived at around 9 pm. During this encounter, Armughan assaulted Mustafa with an iron rod. Armughan and Shiraz stripped Mustafa of his clothes, bound his hands and feet with a white sheet, and dragged him down the stairs. Mustafa's car was parked in the bungalow's parking lot, and they placed his body in the trunk of the car, after which they took him to Hub. The report further details that Armughan instructed two employees to clean blood stains from the room. Armughan also took Mustafa's clothes, mobile phone, and internet device. When they could not find fuel in the car, Armughan took a fuel can from the bungalow. The report explains that Armughan discarded Mustafa's mobile phone and other belongings on the way. They arrived in Hub around 4:30 am, poured petrol on the car, and set it on fire. Armughan and Shiraz then walked to a hotel for breakfast. A hotel employee noticed a weapon, and the two men fled the scene. After walking for several hours and hitching rides, they made their way back to Karachi.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
FIA submits evidence against Armughan
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered strong evidence of large-scale money laundering involving Armughan Qureshi alias Army, the prime accused in the Mustafa Amir abduction and murder case. An interim charge sheet submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Administrative Court at Karachi Central Jail has exposed his complex web of financial crimes. According to the FIA, Armughan and his accomplices impersonated officials from various US government departments to defraud American citizens. He allegedly operated several call centers and eventually registered his own company in 2018. Through these operations, he is estimated to have earned between $300,000 to $400,000 per month. Armughan reportedly transferred much of his illicit income into cryptocurrency. The interim charge sheet notes that he owned eight vehicles worth over Rs154 million, and digital evidence including 18 laptops and fraudulent call scripts has been recovered. To expand his operations, Armughan employed two foreign agents, Lisa and Sophie, who helped establish a fraudulent company under the name "Trademark Comin." This company specifically targeted American citizens, generating an estimated annual income of $25 million. Call center agents were reportedly hired on basic salaries of $75,000, which could rise up to $450,000, with salaries processed through third-party channels. Financial records revealed that Armaghan maintained a business account under Kamran Qureshi's name at Truist Bank in Maryland, USA, allegedly for "software services." In addition to this, Armughan operated other business accounts under the title "CRUZERS," which were linked to at least seven merchant terminals and payment gateways to facilitate illegal transactions. The FIA found that deceptive payment descriptors like "US Patent Trademark" and "US Trademarks" were used to mask the fraudulent nature of transactions from financial institutions and victims. Once the illicit funds were transferred to identifiable bank accounts, Armaghan converted them into Bitcoin through Coinbase. These funds were then moved to crypto wallets on platforms such as Paxful and Noones, and later converted into fiat currency or USDT before being routed to third parties. The investigation also revealed that the laundered money was used to purchase both movable and immovable assets and to pay salaries and commissions to employees and associates involved in criminal activities. He reportedly used several email addresses-including therealboss1111@ and sarwathussain009@ register crypto wallets and conduct these transactions.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Express Tribune
CCTV footage of Armughan house raid released
Police have released CCTV footage of the raid on Armughan Qureshi's residence in DHA. The footage shows DSP Ahsan Zulfiqar and other officials suffering injuries during the operation. The footage also shows that the accused, Armughan, has expertise in handling weapons, which reportedly took police by surprise. He can be seen firing at the police officers. At the time of raid, Armughan was found roaming naked inside his residence. A female companion was also present during the incident, as captured on camera. The footage shows Armughan firing indiscriminately at police. He is seen descending from the upper floor using a ladder while continuing to fire. He had attached a torch to the M4 rifle he was wielding. The footage further shows police planning the operation outside the residence before forcing their entry into the premises by ramming the bungalow's door with a police mobile. Police are seen moving through various sections of the house under heavy fire from the accused, who is positioned upstairs. As police reaches the staircase, Armughan launches another round of gunfire, resulting in injuries to DSP Ahsan.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
FIA seizes luxury vehicle in Mustafa murder probe
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Circle has seized another high-end vehicle linked to Armaghan Qureshi, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case. The vehicle, a Ford Raptor valued at around Rs58.5 million, was recovered from the Quaidabad area on Thursday following a 22-day search operation. Investigators had earlier discovered that the luxury vehicle, which was reportedly used by Armughan, had gone missing from his residence. The latest seizure marks another breakthrough in the ongoing probe, which has repeatedly unveiled new layers of financial irregularities linked to the accused. According to FIA sources, Armughan allegedly amassed a vast fortune through illicit call center operations over the past seven years. Investigators estimate that between $300,000 to $500,000 of illegally acquired funds were converted into cryptocurrency daily. These earnings were reportedly used to purchase luxury assets, including high-end vehicles and properties in upscale areas. The FIA has so far identified eight vehicles purchased with the proceeds of the fraudulent scheme, with a total estimated value exceeding Rs120 million. One such vehicle, worth over Rs50 million, was previously seized from Armughan's residence on March 5. The FIA's AML Circle, in collaboration with specialised units, continues to probe the extent of Armughan's financial dealings. Authorities believe that significant portions of the illegally acquired funds have been funneled into cryptocurrency transactions, real estate investments, and other high-value assets.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Armughan's lawyer withdraws from Mustafa murder case
In a surprise move, senior lawyer Abid Zaman Advocate withdrew from representing Armughan Qureshi, the main accused in the Mustafa Amir kidnapping and murder case on Tuesday — the day an anti-terrorism court (ATC) extended the physical remand of Armughan until March 24. As per reports, Abid Zaman Advocate, who had been serving as Armughan's attorney, made the decision to step down, stating that the accused's father, who is also a legal practitioner, has expressed the intention to take over the case and fight it personally. This surprising development comes at a critical juncture in the case, raising questions about the future legal strategy and the involvement of new counsel. Earlier while appearing before ATC No 4 at the Jail Anti-Terrorism Complex, defence counsel Tahir-ur-Rehman Tanoli pleaded the judge call the accused's mother as a witness, while fellow defence lawyer Khurram Abbas proposed that Kamran Qureshi, the accused's father, be summoned to court. Advocate Tanoli assured the court that no disruptions would occur if the couple were allowed to attend. The judge summoned both the accused's parents to the hearing. Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Ali Arain informed the court that Kamran Qureshi had allegedly hurled threats at him. The judge inquired why no formal complaint had been filed under the Lawyers Protection Act, to which Arain confirmed that such an application had indeed been submitted. The investigating officer (IO), Afsar Muhammad Ali, was questioned about whether a formal case had been registered. The IO confirmed that he had submitted the necessary paperwork. The court remarked on the delay in proceedings, stressing the consequences of such postponements. In a tense moment, the judge also ordered the accused to sign a power of attorney, but Armughan refused, stating that he did not wish to appoint a lawyer.
