National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has shared further details regarding its large scale operation against an alleged cyber fraud network operating through a call centre in Karachi. Speaking at a press conference held at NCCIA Karachi Office, Additional Director Shahzad Akbar said the agency sacked 273 individuals during the operation, including more than 100 women and 42 people below the age of 18. The action was carried out at a call centre located in PECHS near Shahrah e Faisal. According to the agency, the operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into activities believed to involve online fraud targeting individuals through digital platforms. Authorities stated that the inquiry remains active as digital evidence continues to be examined and additional aspects of the case are being reviewed.
During the operation, NCCIA seized 3,390 laptops, 152 mobile phones, and four CPUs from the premises. Shahzad Akbar said forensic examination of the recovered devices indicated that individuals based outside Pakistan were also linked with the company’s alleged operations, while merchants were among those whose activities are being examined as part of the investigation. He further stated that investigators identified multiple user IDs registered under different names that were logged into individual laptops. According to the agency, the call centre is suspected of obtaining personal information belonging to citizens and using the data in various online fraud schemes. Akbar also stated that this was the first case in which employees, along with the company owner, had been nominated during legal proceedings. He explained that in previous cases, only company owners were nominated, after which new companies would allegedly be established under different names while continuing similar operations. He further disclosed that around 350 call centres in Karachi are currently under the agency’s observation in relation to suspected scamming activities, adding that the company involved in the latest operation was among the three largest entities being investigated in the city.
The judicial proceedings also moved forward following the operation. A judicial magistrate granted NCCIA a two day physical remand of nine key suspects presented through a video link, while the investigating officer appeared before the court and submitted a notification issued by Sindh Home Department. According to the officer, all 273 individuals taken into custody during the operation were being kept at the call centre premises after the location was declared a sub jail through an official notification. The investigating officer informed the court that the case relates to alleged online fraud involving foreign nationals and requested physical remand for nine principal suspects while seeking judicial remand for the remaining individuals. During the hearing, defence counsel stated that those taken into custody included more than 70 juveniles and over 80 women, arguing that the offences were bailable and requesting the release of female and underage individuals. After hearing submissions from both sides, the court granted a two day physical remand for the nine principal suspects, approved bail for women and individuals below 18 years of age against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each, and ordered judicial remand for the remaining individuals.
The operation was conducted on November 3 at the call centre known as Voxtron, located in PECHS near Shahrah e Faisal. Following the development, several family members gathered outside the premises seeking information about relatives who had been taken into custody. Some relatives told local media they had been informed that a first information report had been registered against all employees and that the matter would proceed before the court. Others questioned why concerns relating to the company had not resulted in earlier legal proceedings despite previous operations at the same location. Family members also raised concerns regarding communication with those being held and requested access to legal documentation related to the case. NCCIA has maintained that the investigation is continuing and that digital forensic analysis and examination of the recovered evidence will help determine the full scope of the alleged cyber fraud network and any additional individuals connected with the case.
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