warning: bogus cops in Islamabad
 

:welcome:I was just leaving Jinnah Market, looking for cab when a car stopped next to me. Inside were four guys, all in plain clothes and the car was a luxury one but with no special marks. The driver introduced himself as a police officer and showed an identity card. He said they were from the drugs squad and patrolling the area as a couvglple of days before an Italian tourist was caught with cocaine. He requested to identify myself. I handed to him a copy of my passport because I was a bit suspicious, I don't know why. Then he requested my bag. I said he could examine the bag but I wouldn't hand over. He start searching the pockets. He was quite nervous which made me even more suspicious. He took out my wallet containing some money, documents and credit cards and searched it while I was holding it. Then he took out the envelop containing my money. For me that was the limit. I grabbed it back and yelled "thieves". Immediately the car speeded up and disappeared. Bogus cops! I maybe lost 50 euro but I am not sure. *

On previous trips, but not in Pakistan, I encountered corrupt police men at checkpoints but never before I encountered bogus cops so I was not really prepared for it. I did two things right: I didn't hand over my passport and didn't handover my bag. But I also did two things wrong: I didn't inspect the drivers police identity card well and I didn't ask to go into the light of the patrol station which was only 20 meters away. The incident happened on a quite dark spot. *

By describing the incident I hope other travelers are warned when they find themself in a similar situation.

not a good experience. So this is in Pindi?

Have you let your embassy know? If there is a trend they will alert other travellers who sign up for bulletins or check the websites...

Thanks for sharing the warning.