Family alleges an education consultant supplied fake US university admission documents after demanding millions of rupees; police say the investigation is ongoing.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Islamabad police are investigating the death of Laiba Ejaz, a graduate of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), amid allegations that she was deceived by an education consultant over admission to a university in the United States.
According to a report published by Geo News on October 10, police said Laiba was distressed after discovering that documents provided by an agent for her planned overseas education were allegedly fraudulent. Her body was found in Islamabad’s G-10 sector, within the jurisdiction of Ramna police station.
Police said the investigation was continuing and that the post-mortem report had not yet been received when Geo News published its report. The final cause of death therefore remained subject to confirmation.
Family alleges fraud involving millions of rupees
Laiba’s family said she had completed her bachelor’s degree at IIUI with a gold medal and hoped to continue her studies in the United States.
According to the family’s account reported by Geo News, an immigration consultant demanded Rs7 million to arrange her admission to a US university. Her father reportedly sold a plot and paid Rs2.1 million in cash to the agent, while her mother’s jewellery was also deposited with a bank to help arrange the remaining funds.
The family said Laiba discovered that the admission documents were fake after having them checked.
However, reports differ on the total amount allegedly paid. Dawn reported that Laiba had paid Rs5 million to an agent for the process of moving to the United States, while Geo News reported that the consultant demanded Rs7 million and that Rs2.1 million was paid in cash. These figures should not be treated as interchangeable or as independently established findings.
Police examine circumstances surrounding death
Police are examining the circumstances of Laiba’s death and the allegations involving the consultant and the documents.
The News reported that investigators were looking into the alleged dealings with the agent, the authenticity of the documents and whether any connection could be established between the alleged fraud and the death.
The allegations against the consultant have not been established as a final legal finding. The investigation and relevant evidence will be needed to determine responsibility.
Warning for students seeking education abroad
The case highlights the importance of verifying admission offers and education consultants before making substantial payments for overseas study.
Students and families can reduce their exposure to potential fraud by checking admission offers directly with the university through its official website or admissions office, confirming scholarship information through official channels, and requesting written agreements and receipts for payments.
An offer letter or scholarship document should not be assumed to be genuine simply because it carries a university’s name or branding. Applicants should independently verify the sender’s identity and the status of their application before transferring money or handing over original documents.
Police have yet to announce a final conclusion in the case. Further details about the alleged fraud and the circumstances of Laiba’s death remain subject to the ongoing investigation and official findings.
