Japan deports 22-member ‘fake’ Pakistani football team: Agency

Lahore: A “fake” Pakistan football team has been deported from Japan after authorities uncovered a fraud, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Wednesday.

According to the FIA, a human trafficking network orchestrated the dispatch of a 22-member bogus football squad to Japan. The individuals, dressed in football kits, claimed to be registered players of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and alleged they had arranged matches with a Japanese club.

“The 22-member fake football team, which had obtained 15-day visas, arrived in Japan in June 2025 but was deported by Japanese immigration authorities directly from the airport. The matter was subsequently reported to the FIA,” the agency stated.

Following an investigation, the FIA on Tuesday arrested Waqas Ali, described as a prime suspect and member of the human trafficking gang behind the incident. During interrogation, Ali disclosed that his network had earlier managed to send 17 people to Japan in 2024 under the guise of being members of the Pakistan Football Team, none of whom returned.

He further revealed that forged letters and No Objection Certificates purportedly issued by the PFF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were used to facilitate the scam.

“Each individual posing as a player paid PKR 4.5 million to secure their Japanese visa,” the FIA added, noting that raids are continuing to apprehend the remaining members of the network.

With PTI inputs