LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani authorities acting on intelligence arrested a man Tuesday accused of running an online counterfeit postage operation that U.S. prosecutors say caused more than $126 million in losses to the U.S. Postal Service, Pakistan’s cybercrime investigation agency said.
Faheem Akram, 33, was arrested after a weekslong search involving raids across several parts of the country, a senior official at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, Atif Ameer, told reporters.
Akram, a resident of Khanewal in eastern Punjab province, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the district said in a Sept. 28 statement. The office alleged that Akram operated LabelsBank.com, an unauthorized website that sold more than 5.1 million counterfeit postage labels to more than 5,200 customers. The labels typically cost $2 each, regardless of a package’s weight, size or destination.
The counterfeit labels allowed customers to ship packages at prices far below legitimate postal rates, resulting in lost revenue and shipping costs for the Postal Service, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Its estimate of more than $126 million represents alleged losses to the Postal Service rather than proceeds from the website’s sales.
Ameer said Pakistani investigators found that Akram operated the website from August 2023 through September 2026 and used 16 bank accounts for the business. Those included accounts held by Akram, his brother, wife, sister and aunt, he said.
It was unclear whether Akram would be extradited to the United States or face trial in Pakistan.
In this photo taken with a smartphone, police officers escort detained suspect Faheem Akram, accused of running an online counterfeit postage operation that U.S. prosecutors say caused more than $126 million in losses to the U.S. Postal Service, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
GQEBERHA, South Africa (AP) — Travis Head led with 87 not out as Australia finished day four at 156-4 in its second innings in the second cricket test against South Africa on Wednesday, still trailing by 170 runs.
Head hit nine fours and faced 138 deliveries, with Scott Boland (2 not out) also on nightwatchman duty.
South Africa enforced the follow-on after Marco Jansen took 5-33 in Australia’s first innings. The visitors were bowled out for 99 runs, conceding a lead of 326 runs in reply to the Proteas’ 425-9 declared. Skipper Temba Bavuma had led South Africa’s revival with a career-best 179.
It was the fourth lowest innings’ total for Australia, and the third highest lead conceded in tests against South Africa.
Australia was down to 69-6 at lunch on day four, with Jansen picking four wickets in the morning session.
Jansen struck early in the morning after Australia started at 3-1 overnight. Boland was the first to go as he was caught behind off Jansen on the seventh ball of the day.
Travis Head was then out lbw for 14 – again to Jansen – after a review. Simon Harmer took a superb catch at gully to send back Marnus Labuschagne (14) off Anrich Nortje with Australia reduced to 45-4 in 14 overs.
Nortje could only manage another 2.3 overs before a lower-body injury forced him to walk off, leaving the Proteas a bowler short for the remainder of the match.
Matt Renshaw (12) and Steve Smith nearly batted out the second hour of play without any further damage, but Jansen struck twice in one over before lunch.
Renshaw was caught at third slip and Alex Carey was caught behind for a duck two balls later with Australia down to 65-6.
Post lunch, Jansen completed his fifth five-wicket haul in tests as Mitchell Starc (1) was caught behind. Smith top-scored for Australia with 28 off 88 balls, also copping a blow to his helmet in the interim.
Kagiso Rabada took 2-33 on his return from injury, while Wiaan Mulder picked 2-14 as Australia’s first innings finished just before drinks in the second session.
Despite Nortje’s injury, South Africa enforced the follow-on and Rabada hit early in the second innings as Nic Maddinson’s poor tour continued when he was caught behind for eight.
But Head and Labuschagne added 92 off 176 balls for the second wicket to stem the rot for Australia.
Australia was 50-1 at tea and Labuschagne fell 11 overs after the break. He hit out against Simon Harmer and was caught at deep mid on by Jansen.
Rabada made it a double blow with Matt Renshaw bowled for 11. Head meanwhile reached 50 off 81 balls and added 27 runs with Beau Webster. The latter was out lbw to Harmer just ahead of stumps.
Smith didn’t come out to bat after the hit he took in the first innings earlier in the day. He will undergo another concussion test after a similar incident in the first test.
Australia won the first test in Durban by 214 runs and leads the three-match series 1-0.
See AP’s full cricket coverage here
Australia's Steven Smith, centre is bowled out by South Africa's Wiaan Mulder, as South Africa's Ryan Rickelton, left, looks on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Marco Jansen prepares to catch the ball to dismiss Australia's Marnus Labuschagne on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne plays a shot on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Aiden Markram attempts to field the ball on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Simon Harmer, left, celebrates with teammate the wicket of Australia's Beau Webster on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Australia's Matt Renshaw, right, walks back to pavilion after dismissal during day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Australia's Matt Renshaw plays a shot on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Marco Jansen, centre, celebrates the wicket of Australia's Matt Renshaw during day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Australia's Steven Smith, left and Australia's Matt Renshaw, right run between the wickets during day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Marco Jansen celebrates the wicket of Australia's Alex Carey during day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
