The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has conducted raids on two suspected illegal call centres in Lahore, detaining more than three dozen individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent activities targeting people abroad. According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the operations were carried out in Faisal Town and Johar Town as part of the agency’s efforts to address cybercrime-related complaints and investigate activities involving unauthorised call centre operations. During the raids, officials seized computers, laptops, mobile phones and other digital equipment that will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation process.
According to the agency spokesperson, individuals at the targeted locations were allegedly using dial-up software to make calls to people outside Pakistan while presenting themselves as representatives of mobile upgrade services and telecommunications providers. The spokesperson said the suspected operations were allegedly designed to obtain information from foreign individuals through misleading communication methods. During the raids, NCCIA teams collected digital devices and other material from the premises for further examination. The agency stated that all digital evidence was secured and sealed according to legal procedures to maintain its integrity during the investigation. The NCCIA spokesperson said that the second call centre was identified during the investigation initiated after the first raid. Following the identification of the additional location, the agency team carried out another operation in Johar Town. The spokesperson added that the team completed the action despite facing resistance from security personnel present at the location. Officials are continuing their investigation to determine the ownership structure of the suspected call centres and identify individuals who may have been involved in facilitating their operations.
During the operations, several vehicles were also taken into custody by authorities. According to NCCIA, these vehicles were allegedly purchased using proceeds connected to the suspected activities. The agency said further investigation will determine the nature of the assets and their connection with the case. Officials are also reviewing the seized digital devices to analyse available information, identify potential links and collect additional evidence related to the suspected operations. A complaint has been forwarded to the NCCIA Lahore police station for registration of cases against the individuals involved under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), according to the agency spokesperson. The investigation will continue to establish the complete details of the alleged activities, including the role of owners, facilitators and other individuals connected to the call centres.
The action highlights continued efforts by NCCIA to investigate cyber-enabled financial fraud and activities involving misuse of digital communication tools. As international fraud networks increasingly rely on technology platforms and remote communication methods, law enforcement agencies are focusing on improving digital investigation capabilities and strengthening mechanisms to identify and respond to cybercrime activities. The Lahore raids represent part of broader measures aimed at addressing online fraud risks and protecting individuals from deceptive digital practices.
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