A farmhouse event in Karachi’s Gadap Town took an unexpected turn after an event organiser allegedly collected the mobile phones of dozens of women and fled with them.
According to police, the organiser told the women attending the event that recording videos was not allowed at the venue and asked them to deposit their mobile phones.
The women had reportedly arrived at the farmhouse in two buses, after which their phones were collected by the organisers.
Police said the organiser, identified as Salman, allegedly fled the venue after collecting the phones. Police later detained the farmhouse manager for questioning. More than 50 mobile phones belonging to the women were reportedly missing.
The case took a new turn after one of the affected women told police that they had been invited to the farmhouse on the pretext of a job opportunity.
According to her statement, the women were told they would receive lunch and Rs2,000, while they would also be given training to set up stalls. They were reportedly told that the event was being organised at a private housing society.
The woman said they were also told that their “boss” would hold a meeting at the venue.
After arriving at the farmhouse, their mobile phones were collected and receipts were reportedly issued for the deposited phones.
She said they later discovered that the phones had gone missing. According to her statement, farmhouse manager Salman allegedly left the venue on a motorcycle with another man, carrying a bag containing the phones.
Farmhouse management’s statement
Police have also recorded the statement of the farmhouse manager who was detained in connection with the incident.
According to the farmhouse management, they had been informed that a corporate event was being organised and that a group of women would attend.
The management said they were told that a boss would deliver a speech and that the event would conclude by evening.
The management further claimed that they were not paid for hosting the event and that a man named Salman left the premises with the mobile phones.
Police are investigating the incident and efforts are underway to locate the missing phones and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.
