National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has taken nationwide action against more than 20 suspects allegedly involved in cybercrime during the past 24 hours, with reported financial fraud and extortion cases involving approximately Rs 66 million. The operations also resulted in the recovery of Rs 5.99 million in Rawalpindi, which was returned to an affected citizen. According to details compiled by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), NCCIA teams carried out operations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Multan, Abbottabad and Dera Ismail Khan against individuals allegedly involved in online financial fraud, fake investment schemes, social media harassment, blackmail and other digital offences. The nationwide action covered a range of reported cases involving deceptive online transactions, fraudulent identities, threats through social media platforms and misuse of digital communication channels. In Islamabad, four suspects were apprehended over their alleged involvement in operating a fake travel agency through WhatsApp groups. According to the agency, the suspects offered visa and air ticket services, collected payments from citizens and subsequently provided fake travel documents. Two cases were registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). In separate operations, Islamabad officials also took action against individuals allegedly involved in harassing and blackmailing women through social media by threatening to circulate private photographs and videos in exchange for money. In one case, two suspects identified as Bilal Ahmed and Nasir Nazir were apprehended over allegations of uploading objectionable photographs and videos of a complainant’s daughter on social media. Mobile phones and other digital evidence were seized during the operation. The Islamabad team also apprehended a suspect accused of defrauding a widow of Rs 1.8 million. Separately, an FIR was registered against individuals allegedly targeting InDrive drivers through fake bookings, false claims of government affiliations and requests for money under the pretext of emergencies.
In Rawalpindi, NCCIA recovered Rs 5.99 million in a financial fraud case and returned the amount to the complainant. Another case involving an alleged financial loss of Rs 6.05 million resulted in the registration of an FIR after an inquiry identified suspected misuse of mobile phones and online banking services. Five individuals are suspected of involvement in that matter. In Gujranwala, four suspects were apprehended for allegedly defrauding citizens through fake social media accounts created in the names of their relatives. Officials recovered six mobile phones containing fraudulent accounts, applications reportedly used for deceptive calls and tools associated with preparing fake bank payment receipts. In Karachi, a suspect was apprehended over allegations of defrauding a woman of Rs 4.45 million through false promises of marriage made on an online matrimonial application. The suspect allegedly threatened to circulate edited photographs of the woman to demand additional money. Meanwhile, Peshawar operations involved several cases, including an alleged Rs 30 million fraud linked to fake marriage and investment offers. The suspect reportedly used fabricated social media identities to establish trust with victims. During the operation, officials recovered a mobile phone, seven SIM cards, 18 blank cheques and Rs 300,000 in cash. In another case, a suspect was apprehended over allegations of obtaining Rs 5.7 million from a citizen through threats involving the circulation of private videos. NCCIA also took action against two suspects in Shangla over allegations of operating illegal online loan applications and harassing citizens through threatening calls. More than 30 laptops and mobile phones, along with data reportedly belonging to thousands of citizens, were recovered. The Peshawar team also apprehended a suspect in Timergara, Lower Dir, over allegations of sharing defamatory material online and issuing death threats.
In Dera Ismail Khan, NCCIA apprehended Muhammad Hasnain, a wanted suspect allegedly involved in fraudulent online investment schemes. According to the agency, he was wanted in a case registered in 2021. In Abbottabad, officials took action against a key suspect in an alleged financial fraud case involving Rs 18 million. Investigations reportedly identified the suspected use of bank accounts belonging to 24 individuals, while six suspects had already been apprehended in connection with the case. In a separate Abbottabad operation, the agency recovered money obtained from a citizen through cyber financial fraud and returned it to the affected individual. NCCIA Multan also recovered money involved in an online financial fraud case and handed it back to the complainant. The affected citizen thanked NCCIA official Abid Jan for his efforts in facilitating the recovery. In Lahore, officials apprehended Hussam Shahid in Okara over allegations involving the production and storage of child sexual abuse material. A mobile phone and other digital evidence were seized. In another operation conducted in Pakpattan in coordination with Sahiwal, the Lahore team apprehended Kashif Ali over allegations of blackmailing a citizen through an objectionable video and demanding money. Two mobile phones were recovered during the operation. These cases reflect the range of complaints being handled by the agency, from financial deception and identity misuse to online harassment, extortion and offences involving the exploitation of digital content. NCCIA said the latest operations form part of its continuing nationwide campaign under the supervision of Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, focusing on addressing cybercrime, recovering money obtained through online fraud and providing assistance to affected citizens.
The latest figures follow an earlier one-month performance report issued after Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi assumed charge as Director General. According to that report, NCCIA apprehended 1,129 suspects, registered 272 cases and recovered Rs 105.3 million, which was returned to affected citizens. Alongside enforcement operations and financial recovery efforts, the agency has also been conducting cybersecurity awareness programmes in different cities to educate the public about online fraud, fake social media accounts, cyber harassment and safer internet practices. These initiatives aim to help citizens recognise suspicious digital activities and understand the available channels for reporting cybercrime. NCCIA has advised the public not to share sensitive banking information, including account details, ATM PINs, passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs), with anyone. Citizens have also been urged to remain cautious when receiving unexpected payment requests, investment offers, suspicious booking confirmations or messages from unfamiliar accounts. The agency has encouraged individuals to report suspected cybercrime and financial fraud through its official helpline 1799. The nationwide operations and awareness activities highlight the importance of combining investigations, public education and recovery efforts to address digital offences and improve protection for internet users across Pakistan.
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