Fake Harvard Admission, Rs7 Million Fraud: Suspected Agent Arrested After Student’s Death
According to Islamabad-based crime reporters, Nouman was arrested after being traced to the basement of a house where he had reportedly been hiding. Further details of the arrest are awaited.
A suspected fraud agent, identified as Nouman, has reportedly been arrested in connection with an alleged Rs7 million scam involving a young Pakistani student whose dream of studying at Harvard University ended in tragedy.
According to Islamabad-based crime reporters, Nouman was arrested after being traced to the basement of a house where he had reportedly been hiding. Further details of the arrest are awaited.
The case involves a 20- to 22-year-old high-achieving student of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), who was found hanging from a tree near G-10 Sunday Bazaar on October 9.
The student’s family alleges that they paid a total of Rs7 million (70 lakh) to the suspected agent for two separate arrangements: securing her admission to Harvard University for the 2026–2027 academic session and arranging employment for her brother.
The family reportedly sold land and pawned jewellery to raise the money. However, the admission documents provided by the agent, including a purported Harvard admission letter, were allegedly forged.
The exact amount paid for each arrangement has not yet been established.
In her reported final message, the student asked her uncle not to inform her father, who earned his livelihood selling milk. She reportedly feared that the shock would seriously affect his health.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to arrest the suspect and take action against those responsible for the alleged fraud.
Following the incident, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the grieving family alongside Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police, Chief Commissioner and Minister of State.
Naqvi met the deceased student’s parents and assured them that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, while the post-mortem findings remain pending. Authorities have yet to establish whether the alleged fraud was directly connected to her death.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over fraudulent education and employment agents who exploit the aspirations of young Pakistanis and the financial sacrifices of their families.
The reported arrest marks a significant development, although official confirmation of the arrest details and charges is still awaited.