The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has detained 212 individuals during a crackdown on alleged illegal call centres in Islamabad as part of an investigation into suspected international financial and online dating fraud activities. The action was carried out following raids on multiple facilities operating in different areas of the capital, where authorities also seized a significant amount of digital equipment for further examination.
According to reports, the individuals taken into custody include Pakistani and Chinese nationals as well as both men and women. The raids were conducted over a period of 24 hours at three call centre locations operating in sectors E-11 and G-10 of Islamabad. During the operations, NCCIA teams recovered 306 mobile phones, 383 computers and CPUs, along with 299 laptops and monitors. The seized devices and related digital material have been transferred for forensic analysis to support the ongoing investigation.
Initial findings from authorities indicate that the alleged operations involved approaching individuals through online dating platforms and building communication channels to gain their confidence. Investigators stated that the individuals were then allegedly directed towards fraudulent online tasking and investment platforms that promoted financial returns. NCCIA officials said the suspected network was linked to international financial fraud activities involving online scams, with operational connections being examined in relation to locations including India and Brazil. As part of the investigation, separate NCCIA teams conducted raids at FFK Lodhi Call Center in G-10 Markaz and another facility located near Street No. 40 close to the Passport Office in G-10/4 on September 22. During these operations, officials collected digital devices, electronic equipment and server-related data, which will undergo technical analysis to determine the scale of the alleged activities and identify additional details about the network’s operations.
The NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad has registered two cases in connection with the investigation. The cases have been filed under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 along with Sections 419, 420, 34 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. These legal provisions relate to matters including electronic fraud, cheating, shared responsibility and assistance in alleged offences. Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the complete scope of the suspected fraud activities and determine whether additional individuals or entities were connected to the operations. The forensic review of the recovered devices and digital records is expected to provide further information regarding communication methods, financial activity and the infrastructure used by the alleged call centres.
The action reflects ongoing efforts by NCCIA to investigate cyber-enabled financial crimes and address online fraud networks operating through digital platforms. With the increasing use of online communication channels for financial scams, law enforcement agencies continue to focus on identifying suspicious digital activities, examining technology infrastructure and improving mechanisms to respond to cybercrime-related complaints.
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