Karachi police have dismantled a fake call centre that had been operating in Block 14, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, using spoofing software to carry out cyber extortion targeting wealthy individuals in Pakistan and abroad. The operation, led by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), resulted in the recovery of twelve laptops that were reportedly being used to disguise caller identities and intimidate victims. Police sources confirmed that the centre was engaged in a sophisticated network of fraudulent activities designed to extract large sums of money through fear and deception.
According to details shared by SIU, the investigation began after a kidnapping case registered on August 13, 2025, at Tipu Sultan police station was transferred to their unit. The case involved a businessman who had been held in illegal confinement earlier in August and later released after committing to pay a ransom of Rs50 million. The suspects eventually received Rs8 million from the victim. Further leads in the case led investigators to uncover the link between the extortion and a network of cyber operators using spoofing technology to target victims.
On October 20, Boat Basin police apprehended two key suspects, identified as Talal Afser alias Major Zafar and Mubashir Gul. During interrogation, Afser revealed that he and his associates had been demanding extortion through spoofed calls made from internet-based systems. He admitted that their fake call centre business had suffered losses, prompting them to adopt spoofing software to directly contact victims. The suspect explained that they could modify caller IDs before placing calls, allowing them to display any desired number on the recipient’s phone. This technique gave the illusion that the calls were coming from legitimate or authoritative sources, making it easier to manipulate victims into compliance.
Afser further disclosed that the calls were placed using online channels, which they believed made tracing nearly impossible. Acting on this information, SIU officers raided the identified location in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, where they recovered laptops and other digital equipment allegedly used for the operation. The main suspect, identified as Talha, along with accomplices Hafeez and Moazzam, managed to flee the scene as the raid commenced. Police have since launched a manhunt to capture the absconding individuals and others linked to the illegal operation, including Shahmeer, Rehman Bajwa, Hani Bhai, Magsi, Dhakkan, Zubair, Asad, Saud, and Faraz.
Authorities have underscored the growing threat of spoofing and other forms of digital fraud in Pakistan’s urban centres. Spoofing software enables criminals to manipulate caller information, impersonate legitimate entities, and defraud unsuspecting victims. The ongoing investigation by SIU aims to dismantle the entire network, identify remaining members, and recover evidence of their financial transactions. Officials have also called for stronger cyber vigilance and public awareness regarding phone-based scams, urging citizens to verify suspicious calls before sharing any personal or financial information.
The Karachi operation reflects the increasing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing technology-driven crimes that exploit digital communication channels. With several suspects still at large, efforts continue to track down the remaining members of the network while ensuring that those apprehended are prosecuted under relevant sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
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