Pakistan police are investigating whether a cryptocurrency dispute played a role in the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of two foreign women in Lahore. Four accused, including Raza Dar, who is the grandson of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, remained in police custody as the probe continues.
The latest development comes after one of the alleged victims, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho, recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of Pakistan’s Criminal Procedure Code. In her statement, Astrid alleged that armed men entered the Lahore residence where she and her friend, Stephani Adriana, were staying shortly after arriving in Pakistan.
She claimed the men restrained them and repeatedly demanded access to a computer that allegedly contained cryptocurrency assets. According to her statement, the accused continued asking for passwords and money after locating the computer. Astrid further alleged that she was assaulted and threatened with death unless the funds were handed over.
She also told the magistrate that one of the accused allegedly used her mobile phone to contact people known to her in an attempt to secure money. According to her statement, Stephani’s mother later arranged $100,000.
The woman further alleged that after the money was received, the accused returned their passports and drove them towards the airport. During the journey, she claimed to have overheard a phone conversation suggesting that “the boss’s instructions are different.”
According to her statement, the vehicle later crashed, allowing both women to escape. She alleged they sought help from passersby, who alerted a traffic police officer.
A court in Lahore has remanded four accused — Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali — to five days of police custody.
Investigators informed the court that they are yet to recover the weapons allegedly used in the incident as well as money believed to be linked to the case. The court has directed police to complete the investigation and submit a report before the accused are produced again on July 8.
According to media reports, the two foreign women may have left Pakistan after recording their statements before the magistrate. The report said authorities have not disclosed their current location. It added that if the women have indeed left the country, it could make the prosecution more challenging.
The case came to light after Pakistani police arrested four men, including Raza Dar, over the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two women from the Netherlands and Venezuela. Investigators allege that the women first met Dar in Singapore in October 2025 while working on a cryptocurrency project. Police claim he later invited them to Pakistan on business visas.
According to the complaint, the women were allegedly abducted after arriving in Lahore on June 29, taken to a house, sexually assaulted and held captive while money was allegedly demanded for their release.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the accused have not been convicted of any offence.