Perfect hiking weather.

Scam Alert: Fake Instagram Account and Hiking Trip Scam

I want to share my recent experience to warn others about a scam involving a fake Instagram account and a fraudulent hiking trip.

I came across an Instagram account, soniya_shah_8, through suggestions and decided to add it. We started chatting, and she told me she was a student at COMSATS University Islamabad and lived in Bahria Enclave. We had a casual conversation and eventually moved to WhatsApp, where she contacted me from 03145053088.

During our conversation, she mentioned that her university was organizing a trip to Mushkpuri Top and that I could join if I wanted. Since I was already planning a hiking trip, I thought, why not?

She then sent me a poster for the trip, which looked somewhat AI-generated. It contained details of a tour operator called "Travel with Mahnoor." The price was Rs. 6,000, whereas other tour operators were offering similar trips for around Rs. 3,500. However, she said the trip was exclusively for COMSATS students, so I assumed the higher price might be due to that.

To verify the details, I contacted the number mentioned on the poster, 03430550147. They also told me that the trip was only for COMSATS students and that outsiders were not allowed. At that point, everything seemed legitimate.

When I discussed this with Sonia, she said she would tell the tour operator that I was her cousin so I could join the trip. Later, she sent me a screenshot of her conversation with the supposed tour operator, a girl named Mahnoor, showing that she had introduced me as her cousin. Even the timestamps matched the time we were chatting, making the whole thing seem even more convincing.

After that, she asked me to transfer the payment through Easypaisa to an account registered under the name Sonia Haseeb, using the number 033409335521. I transferred the money without suspecting anything. We continued chatting for another day, and nothing seemed unusual.

Later, I wanted to check the weather at Mushkpuri Top to decide what to wear for the trip. I opened some recent Instagram posts about Mushkpuri and came across the exact same girl's pictures that were being used on Sonia's account. However, those pictures had been posted by another account, faatiwho.

That was when I realized that the person I had been talking to had most likely created a fake Instagram account and stolen someone else's pictures to impersonate her.

Shortly afterward, she blocked me on both numbers.

The funny part is that all the clues were right in front of me!

The girl whose pictures she was using was actually the same girl I had seen on my previous hike to Mushkpuri. I had even gossiped about her outfit with my female friend during the hike. The scammer was using pictures of that exact same dress, from that very same trip, featuring the same girl.

On the next day of hike, I even came across the real girl's Instagram account. So, in a way, all the clues were right in front of me, but I still fell for the scam. My luck clearly was not on my side that day.

How the scam worked

Looking back, the whole thing seemed carefully planned. The person created a fake identity, built trust through normal conversation, provided apparently genuine trip details, used a separate number posing as the tour operator, and even shared fabricated screenshots to make everything look authentic.

The fact that I independently contacted the number on the poster and received the same story made the scam even more convincing.

I will be reporting the Easypaisa transaction as fraudulent and pursuing the matter through the appropriate channels.

I am sharing this experience because scammers are becoming increasingly convincing. Please be careful when dealing with people you meet online, even when everything appears legitimate. Verify the identity of the person, independently confirm the tour operator's credentials, and avoid transferring money to personal accounts without proper verification.

If you have experienced anything similar, please share your experience in the replies so others can learn from it and avoid falling victim to such scams.

Guys is this deep dish pizza by Pizza sauce worth it?

I recently moved from Karachi to Islamabad and, after spending around a month and a half searching for accommodation, I finally found a place.

It’s a furnished 1-bedroom unit on the upper portion of a bungalow in F-8/3, right in front of F-8 Markaz. The unit includes a small lounge, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a large terrace. The monthly rent is PKR 65,000, with the water bill included.

I’m wondering if I got a good deal or if I’m paying more than I should. For those familiar with the Islamabad rental market, is this a reasonable price for the location and amenities, or could I have found something better for the same budget?

Would appreciate your honest opinions and insights!

I am sure other people feel the same frustration. Doesn't matter where you go, a person will be waving at you to help you park your car, open your door, snatch your shopping to place in the car etc. Apart from the invasion of privacy you are aware that they will ask for money straight after. You can't even run an errand on a busy day without listening to 30 majboori's before you come home and made to feel guilty.

Then if you have househelp, you are expected to provide financial assistance there. It's exhausting.

My husband and I give charity to the mustahik separately to verified individuals, we also keep small denominations for sadqa money in the car and give to someone we see as fit. I don't like being forced and ambushed everywhere by worhers and beggars, most who won't be eligible but bully you to giving money.

You can't help every single person you come across all day everyday. It's just not possible regardless of who you are.

Then they give you a disappointed look if you give 100/200 pkr, and demands like children's school uniform etc. I am tired of this.

Those that will refer to inflation and the economy, 99% of these people reject the idea of employment when you offer them.

Hi 20M here
Use to walk almost daily…. Mostly on f8/1 so anyone up … can join me
im hostlite to mujeh elite mat samajh lena xd
Also im in my cozy trousers so dont judge me 🙏🥴

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If yes, what gave you the strength to get through it or is giving you the strength if you're currently going through it?

I was diagnosed last and would love to get know others like me

I have experience in ebook sales

I'm looking for home made food on monthly setting, done with this hotel food,

address: Shalley valley range road Rawalpindi near Qasim Market

Thanks

I feel like we don't market our stunning mountains enough. Look at Alps being a cultural icon or Fujiyama branding and art everywhere.
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It's my first time making something out of my art. I have more stationery items planned. Keep an eye out on my insta.

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Just lemme know.

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Anyone wants to join

I have 3 seats available.

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I am travelling from islamabad to lahore on monday 19 oct at 6 am in the morning on my car

I am looking for carpool companions

Ill also come back from from lahore same.day in evening

As part of my PhD research in Islamabad, I am seeking to better understand adolescents’ lived experiences of depression and anxiety.

I am currently looking to speak with young people interested in sharing their experiences. The purpose of this study is to learn from young people’s experiences and perspectives to help inform the development of more culturally relevant and appropriate mental health support for young people in Pakistan.

Who can take part:

• Ages 15–19

• Have lived experience of depression and/or anxiety

• Reside in Islamabad

What participation involves:

• 60–90 minute individual interview (online or in-person)

• Confidential and voluntary participation

•Compensation will be provided

Get in touch to learn more or sign up! Please reply to this thread, dm me or email me at [adolescentmentalhealthresearch@gmail.com](mailto:adolescentmentalhealthresearch@gmail.com)

I have kids in grades 7, 8 and 9, and I feel like I’m spending too much on stationery. Every few days, they need paper sheets, registers, markers, ballpoints, etc.

Can anyone recommend a market or wholesale shop with good-quality stationery at reasonable prices? I’d prefer to buy everything in bulk at once for the entire academic year rather than making frequent purchases.

Thanks.

we have made a football WA group consisting of people from pindi and Islamabad, we plan matches regularly, more than one game a week, members can also plan among themselves so that helps a lot too, if you want to be added text me your details and i'll add you in the group

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a new pair of wireless earbuds and could use some recommendations. My budget is around 10k to 15k PKR.

My main priorities are:

• Solid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) (really need them to block out background noise)
• Good sound quality for music and daily use

What are the best options available in the Pakistani market right now within this price range? Let me know what you've tried and what you recommend.

Thanks!

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