This year, in January, a tragic incident unfolded when a migrant boat was rescued off the North African coast after being lost in the sea for almost 14 days. In this harrowing journey, about 50 people lost their lives. All the passengers took a long journey based on fake promises by the smugglers, who said that they would take them on a safe and legal passage to Europe.
Uncovering the truth about the smugglers, BBC has narrowed down the investigation and has tracked one of the traffickers responsible - documenting his activities across three continents.
Fadi Gujjar- people smuggler
The BBC has tracked down Fadi Gujjar, who hailed from Jaurah in Pakistan's Punjab region. Unlike other Pakistani traffickers who openly advertise illegal routes online, Gujjar maintains a discreet presence, sharing only edited travel footage. His clientele primarily comprises locals from Jaurah.
BBC got his information after Gujjar, now evading Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), responded to them through voice messages, claiming survivors had "misused" his name regarding the incident, leaving the matter to divine judgment.
His Facebook profile indicates Istanbul as his residence, a known trafficker haven. TikTok posts document his presence there since July 2022, showing him at notable locations. Mauritania serves as his operational base, from where the ill-fated vessel departed.
The international organisation for Migration reports Mauritania's emergence as a trafficking centre in 2023, with 170 individuals, including 14 children, lost on this route this year.
The journey to Europe appeals to many Pakistanis seeking better opportunities, despite the risks. Survivors report paying Gujjar approximately $13,000 (£10,000). Migrants typically travel through Ethiopia or Middle Eastern countries to reach Senegal, then enter Mauritania.
Travel records show Gujjar visited Dakar airport twice in 2024. TikTok content places him in Nouakchott from October 2024, with earlier footage from August 2024 showing him socialising with Ali and Shahzad.
Breaking promises
One survivor named Uzair Bhat reported that Gujjar made false assurances about secure and lawful passage to Europe. He provided BBC Verify with evidence of monetary transfers to an account registered to Gujjar's actual identity, Khawar Hassan.
Upon reaching Mauritania, the smuggler changed his stance.
"He said going by air will not work from here. I'll send you by a big ship," Uzair stated. "Please cooperate, your visa [to Europe] won't come through."
Uzair ultimately accepted these terms.
BBC Verify discovered three additional migrants, besides Ali, Shahzad and Uzair, who purchased journeys from Gujjar.
Upon arrival in Nouakchott, they report being housed in "safe houses" - concealed buildings in remote alleyways where smugglers illegally harbour migrants.
Another individual who used different smuggling services confirmed staying in Gujjar's safe houses.
BBC Verify confirmed one such location near Nouakchott port, which survivors indicate Gujjar visited occasionally.
The maritime journey
Survivors interviewed by BBC Verify departed Nouakchott in a fishing vessel during early hours on January 2. Most passengers had arranged their travel through smugglers in Pakistan.
The intended three-day journey became a fatal two-week ordeal at sea.
Uzair reported continuous bailing of water from departure. Bilalwal Iqbal described how passengers resorted to consuming seawater, leading to delirium.
Survivors state the West African crew, employed by smugglers, withheld food and water and administered daily beatings.
"I tried to take one of their bottles of water so they hit me on the head with a rope and the impact just made me fall back," Iqbal told BBC Verify. "Then they pummelled my thumbs with a hammer. I still have those wounds."
Their uncle confirmed Sufian Ali and Atif Shahzad perished from crew beatings, as reported by survivors.
Others succumbed to lack of food, water and cold.
The remaining survivors, including crew, had lost hope until spotting a larger fishing vessel. Uzair Bhat swam towards it seeking assistance.
The coastguard directed the vessel to Dakhla port, 60 miles away. IOM reported 15 deceased onboard, with 35 missing and presumed dead.
Legal proceedings
Pakistani authorities identified Gujjar amongst ten smugglers involved. Several arrests occurred, excluding Gujjar.
BBC Verify traced his recent TikTok activity to Baku, Azerbaijan, though his current location remains unconfirmed.
Following rescue reports, authorities detained his mother and brother in Pakistan for allegedly collecting payments for European routes on his behalf.
BBC Verify accessed six Punjab police reports from boat passengers' families. They claim Gujjar received $75,000 (£56,000) for the January incident. Three paid completely, three partially, according to reports.
Evidence suggests Gujjar continued arranging European journeys post-January incident.
In March, responding to an undercover BBC reporter using survivors' contact details, Gujjar indicated knowing someone who could arrange travel, without offering direct involvement.
Uncovering the truth about the smugglers, BBC has narrowed down the investigation and has tracked one of the traffickers responsible - documenting his activities across three continents.
Fadi Gujjar- people smuggler
The BBC has tracked down Fadi Gujjar, who hailed from Jaurah in Pakistan's Punjab region. Unlike other Pakistani traffickers who openly advertise illegal routes online, Gujjar maintains a discreet presence, sharing only edited travel footage. His clientele primarily comprises locals from Jaurah.
BBC got his information after Gujjar, now evading Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), responded to them through voice messages, claiming survivors had "misused" his name regarding the incident, leaving the matter to divine judgment.
His Facebook profile indicates Istanbul as his residence, a known trafficker haven. TikTok posts document his presence there since July 2022, showing him at notable locations. Mauritania serves as his operational base, from where the ill-fated vessel departed.
The international organisation for Migration reports Mauritania's emergence as a trafficking centre in 2023, with 170 individuals, including 14 children, lost on this route this year.
The journey to Europe appeals to many Pakistanis seeking better opportunities, despite the risks. Survivors report paying Gujjar approximately $13,000 (£10,000). Migrants typically travel through Ethiopia or Middle Eastern countries to reach Senegal, then enter Mauritania.
Travel records show Gujjar visited Dakar airport twice in 2024. TikTok content places him in Nouakchott from October 2024, with earlier footage from August 2024 showing him socialising with Ali and Shahzad.
Breaking promises
One survivor named Uzair Bhat reported that Gujjar made false assurances about secure and lawful passage to Europe. He provided BBC Verify with evidence of monetary transfers to an account registered to Gujjar's actual identity, Khawar Hassan.
Upon reaching Mauritania, the smuggler changed his stance.
"He said going by air will not work from here. I'll send you by a big ship," Uzair stated. "Please cooperate, your visa [to Europe] won't come through."
Uzair ultimately accepted these terms.
BBC Verify discovered three additional migrants, besides Ali, Shahzad and Uzair, who purchased journeys from Gujjar.
Upon arrival in Nouakchott, they report being housed in "safe houses" - concealed buildings in remote alleyways where smugglers illegally harbour migrants.
Another individual who used different smuggling services confirmed staying in Gujjar's safe houses.
BBC Verify confirmed one such location near Nouakchott port, which survivors indicate Gujjar visited occasionally.
The maritime journey
Survivors interviewed by BBC Verify departed Nouakchott in a fishing vessel during early hours on January 2. Most passengers had arranged their travel through smugglers in Pakistan.
The intended three-day journey became a fatal two-week ordeal at sea.
Uzair reported continuous bailing of water from departure. Bilalwal Iqbal described how passengers resorted to consuming seawater, leading to delirium.
Survivors state the West African crew, employed by smugglers, withheld food and water and administered daily beatings.
"I tried to take one of their bottles of water so they hit me on the head with a rope and the impact just made me fall back," Iqbal told BBC Verify. "Then they pummelled my thumbs with a hammer. I still have those wounds."
Their uncle confirmed Sufian Ali and Atif Shahzad perished from crew beatings, as reported by survivors.
Others succumbed to lack of food, water and cold.
The remaining survivors, including crew, had lost hope until spotting a larger fishing vessel. Uzair Bhat swam towards it seeking assistance.
The coastguard directed the vessel to Dakhla port, 60 miles away. IOM reported 15 deceased onboard, with 35 missing and presumed dead.
Legal proceedings
Pakistani authorities identified Gujjar amongst ten smugglers involved. Several arrests occurred, excluding Gujjar.
BBC Verify traced his recent TikTok activity to Baku, Azerbaijan, though his current location remains unconfirmed.
Following rescue reports, authorities detained his mother and brother in Pakistan for allegedly collecting payments for European routes on his behalf.
BBC Verify accessed six Punjab police reports from boat passengers' families. They claim Gujjar received $75,000 (£56,000) for the January incident. Three paid completely, three partially, according to reports.
Evidence suggests Gujjar continued arranging European journeys post-January incident.
In March, responding to an undercover BBC reporter using survivors' contact details, Gujjar indicated knowing someone who could arrange travel, without offering direct involvement.
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