ISLAMABAD: Dozens of suspects involved in international fraud, bank fraud and online exploitation have been arrested during separate raids in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad as the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) accelerates its countrywide operations against cybercrime on the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
According to an NCCIA spokesperson, Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi is personally supervising the crackdown under a zero-tolerance policy against cybercrime.
As per details, the NCCIA Karachi Circle raided an illegal scam call centre, Callion, near a private hotel and arrested 33 suspects.
The spokesperson said the suspects were involved in stealing the data of foreign nationals and committing bank fraud. Laptops, mobile phones and other digital evidence were seized from the call centre, and the scope of the investigation has been widened.
Online exploitation
In Lahore, the NCCIA Lahore Circle carried out major operations against call centres allegedly involved in cyber fraud and online exploitation.
NCCIA Lahore Additional Director Zone Atif Ameer said 17 women were arrested in the first operation for their alleged involvement in running a honey-trap call centre.
According to him, the suspects allegedly contacted men through various online platforms, developed relationships with them through prolonged conversations and later brought them into video calls. They allegedly used inappropriate conversations and video interactions to keep the victims engaged before obtaining online gifts and other financial benefits from them.
The official said 35 mobile phones and two laptops were recovered from the suspects. A case was registered in connection with the operation.
In the second operation, the NCCIA raided a call centre in Allama Iqbal Town, where UK citizens were allegedly targeted through fraudulent offers for mobile phone replacements and other communication services.
Mr Ameer said the suspects allegedly contacted foreign citizens and offered them mobile phones and various packages, assuring them that the devices would be delivered after payment.
However, after receiving the payments, they allegedly failed to deliver the phones and kept the victims waiting by providing new delivery dates. They also allegedly failed to refund the money.
Nine men were arrested during the operation, while 10 mobile phones and five laptops were recovered from their possession.
Investment fraud
In Islamabad, the NCCIA arrested a suspect, Ali Haider Jahangir, who was allegedly involved in online investment fraud.
The accused allegedly defrauded a citizen of Rs10.4 million on the pretext of investment and online business. Following a complaint by the affected citizen, the NCCIA took immediate action and traced and detained the accused through technical means.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and further investigation is under way.
NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said those who exploited innocent citizens would be shown no leniency and that the agency was committed to eliminating illegal call centres.
He advised the public not to fall prey to unknown links, fake calls, messages and investment lures and not to share personal or financial information with anyone.
He said the eradication of cybercrime, promotion of cybersecurity and creation of public awareness were among the top priorities of the NCCIA, for which all available resources would be utilised.
