Islamabad The Cyber Crime Wing of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has not yet blocked a phoney website launched by a group from Lahore to fleece innocent people by using the name of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). The website with the name of ‘All International Education Open University’ was launched around two months ago. Despite the matter being under the notice of Higher Education Commission, Allama Iqbal Open University and even Cyber Crime Wing of FIA, the website is still functional and its management is fleecing students. While talking to ‘The News,’ AIOU Vice chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said the university has taken serious notice over this phoney website which is fleecing students in the name of consultancy and charging money from students. He said the university has formally approached the Cyber Crime Wing of FIA for proper action against the unlawful and unethical act of the so-called institution, which is damaging the reputation of the AIOU. Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui said that so far the university has given two reminders to Cyber Crime Wing of FIA in Islamabad and Lahore to block the website. “The AIOU administration has reiterated that it will continue to proceed for legal course of action to expose such fake institutions and get stopped the functioning of the fictitious websites,” the VC added. Ayesha Ikram, spokesperson for the HEC, while talking to ‘The News,’ said the matter is in the notice of Higher Education Commission and it has released an alter in national newspapers for parents and students. She said HEC don’t have authority to stop or block any website or educational institution which is not recognised. Sources in AIOU said that the university administration is receiving complaints from students from different parts of the country that owners of the said website are reportedly charging money as consultancy in name of AIOU programmes unlawfully many months before the announcement of actual admission of B.Ed. Programme of AIOU. When ‘The News’ contacted FIA Cyber Crime Wing Director SSP Yaseen Farooq, he said they have received complaints from AIOU and working over it. “We will block the website soon and take legal action against its management,” he added.
