The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Multan has dismantled a large-scale fraud network in Shorkot, arresting 20 suspects accused of orchestrating financial scams through popular social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok. The group allegedly deceived both local citizens and individuals in foreign countries, including India. The operation was launched after a complaint was registered by Multan resident Sanwal Abbas, who reported being tricked out of Rs640,000 by a fraudster impersonating his cousin on Facebook and WhatsApp. A formal case (No. 181/25) was filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 along with relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Investigations revealed that the gang had been running its fraudulent operations from a compound in Tehsil Shorkot, Jhang, employing multiple tactics to trap victims. Among their schemes, suspects impersonated relatives and friends to gain trust before soliciting money. They also posed as law enforcement officers and financial officials to create fear and pressure individuals into transferring funds. Another scam involved impersonating representatives of well-known game shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) and BOL Game Show, tricking people into believing they had won prizes. To make the scams appear legitimate, they even used fake Indian WhatsApp numbers and circulated videos of Indian currency.
The network diversified its fraudulent activities further by posting fake advertisements promising financial aid but demanding advance “tax” payments. In another strategy, the suspects created a fake “Marriage Bureau” by setting up matrimonial profiles with stolen photos, mainly targeting victims in India. These fake profiles were used to build online relationships before exploiting individuals emotionally and financially. Digital evidence retrieved by the raiding team highlighted how the fraudsters made use of apps designed to generate fake receipts, create temporary emails, and fabricate mobile numbers, which were stored on the seized devices. Screenshots of fraudulent conversations and transaction records provided further proof of their activities.
During the operation, NCCIA seized 14 mobile phones containing critical evidence of the scams. The arrested suspects, identified as Babar Ali, Ghulam Shabbir, Muhammad Javed, Muhammad Zeeshan, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Shakeel, Muhammad Abu Bakar, Ishfaq Ali, Muhammad Esa, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Ismail, Muhammad Imran, Manan, Muhammad Saleem, Abdul Latif, Muhammad Irfan, Farooq, and Abdul Jabbar, belonged to various districts including Multan, Jhang, Faisalabad, and Chiniot. Initial interrogations revealed that the individuals admitted their involvement in the fraud operations. The successful raid, led by AD Tariq Mehmood Sipra, reflects NCCIA’s efforts to curb the rising wave of online fraud and protect citizens from digital scams that exploit trust, fear, and manipulation on widely used social platforms.
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