When Dubai resident Waseem Raza typed “cheap cargo to Pakistan” into Google last year, the first name to appear seemed like a blessing.
Pakistan Raveed Alam Cargo Service promised affordable door-to-door delivery at a fraction of the usual cost. Within hours, a pickup truck collected five cartons filled with electronics, clothes, and precious family memorabilia from his Silicon Oasis flat.
“They charged me just Dh300. I thought it was a steal,” Raza recalled. “Ironically, it was.”
Months later, the cartons never reached Karachi, and the company vanished. “I filed a complaint with Dubai Police because I strongly suspect my goods were sold off instead of shipped,” he added.
When the company first launched, it staged a grand inauguration at a Sharjah warehouse, complete with balloons, confetti, and promotional videos. Slick social media ads and free pickup offers attracted hundreds of customers. Today, however, all its UAE numbers are disconnected, and its warehouse stands deserted.
Businessman Arsal Khan’s losses were even greater. He entrusted Raveed with goods worth more than Dh100,000 — including a Rolex watch, a fridge, e-bikes, and family belongings. The company charged him Dh8,000, promising delivery to his home in Wah Cantonment, near Rawalpindi, within weeks.
“Twenty months later, we still have nothing,” Khan said. Police later confirmed to him that the man behind the operation had left the UAE in September 2024.
Other victims share similar stories. Banker Allaudin lost Dh15,000 worth of designer clothes and shoes. He was repeatedly told his shipment was “stuck at Karachi port” until his calls went unanswered. When he visited the Sharjah warehouse, it had already been sealed by authorities.
Allaudin has since joined a WhatsApp group of nearly 40 customers who claim losses totaling Dh2 million. “The actual number is likely much higher,” he said. “Some people gave up hope.” For him, the financial setback is compounded by emotional loss. “Some clothes were limited editions, even autographed pieces. They carried memories that can’t be replaced.”
In Lahore, businessman Ahsan Ali said he lost nearly Dh150,000 worth of heavy machinery, solar batteries, and LCD stands. “It was everything I had built over years of hard work,” he said.
Attempts by Khaleej Times to reach Raveed Alam Cargo Service in both the UAE and Pakistan failed. Their numbers remain disconnected, and the Sharjah warehouse has already been rented to a new tenant.
The case is reminiscent of a 2019 scam involving Noor Al Fajar Cargo, which also disappeared with clients’ shipments. Containers left unclaimed at Karachi Port were later auctioned, leaving victims devastated.
For now, dozens of families remain stranded, demanding answers — and justice.