National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has claimed to have sacked three individuals allegedly linked to an organized cyber fraud network that impersonated government officials and contacted citizens with false claims about suspicious banking activity. According to the agency, the group used deceptive tactics to convince people that their bank accounts were at risk of being blocked or frozen, ultimately persuading them to transfer money under the pretext of resolving fabricated financial issues. The action was carried out following an investigation launched after a complaint was received from a victim.
According to NCCIA, the group allegedly contacted citizens while presenting themselves as representatives of different government institutions. During these calls, they informed individuals that unusual transactions had been detected in their bank accounts and claimed that immediate action was required to prevent restrictions on their accounts. The callers would then ask victims to make payments, stating that the amount was necessary to stop the accounts from being blocked or to settle the reported financial matter. Authorities said the scheme relied on creating a sense of urgency and concern among victims, encouraging them to transfer money without independently verifying the claims. NCCIA stated that one woman reportedly lost Rs15 million through this method before filing a complaint with the agency, which led to the launch of a detailed investigation.
As part of the investigation, NCCIA Lahore identified and sacked three suspects named Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Younis Sajid and Muhammad Nadeem. The agency said it also carried out a preliminary forensic review of digital devices recovered during the operation. According to investigators, the examination led to the identification of more than 12 alleged fake accounts believed to have been used in connection with financial transactions linked to the suspected activity. NCCIA noted that these findings are helping investigators trace the movement of funds and establish connections that may provide a broader understanding of the network. The agency maintained that the investigation remains active as authorities continue to review available digital evidence and financial records.
NCCIA further stated that investigators are now examining account details, transaction histories and the individuals associated with the identified accounts to determine the overall scope of the suspected network. The agency said the ongoing inquiry is focused on gathering additional evidence and understanding how the alleged operation functioned, including the methods used to contact victims and process financial transactions. Officials reiterated the importance of remaining cautious when receiving unexpected calls or messages claiming to be from government institutions or financial organizations, particularly those requesting urgent payments or personal banking information. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue their efforts to verify all relevant information and identify any additional links connected to the matter.
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