Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has been briefed on an escalating wave of electronic fraud that has reached PKR 3 billion nationwide. The session focused on the findings of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which linked this surge to unregulated illegal call centers and software houses across major cities. Committee members voiced serious concern at the scale of the issue and endorsed new measures to curb criminal networks using social engineering and digital scams to defraud the public.
According to NCCIA, “Operation Grey” launched in January 2025 has uncovered large-scale activities of networks engaged in social engineering scams, cryptocurrency-linked laundering, and impersonation of family members or officials. Enforcement has already produced measurable results, with 63 raids conducted on illegal call centers and software houses in cities including Islamabad, Faisalabad and Karachi. Authorities have sacked 450 individuals, comprising 195 Pakistani nationals and 255 foreign nationals, showing the transnational reach of these operations. Financial investigations revealed scams worth Rs 720 million, with Rs 40 million recovered so far. These scams employ tactics such as WhatsApp phishing, fake investment schemes and manipulation of victims’ digital literacy gaps to access personal information and funds.
NCCIA’s report noted that cyber-enabled fraud now accounts for 60 percent of all crime complaints in the country, underlining the urgency of coordinated action. The agency highlighted how broader online fraud cases leveraging regulatory loopholes and emotional manipulation have cost victims over Rs 3 billion. The Senate committee responded with a mandate for tighter oversight of the tech sector’s grey areas. A new licensing framework was approved making it mandatory for all call centers and software houses to obtain licenses jointly overseen by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), NCCIA and a security agency. This measure aims to bring these businesses into a clear legal framework to reduce misuse of digital channels for criminal activity.
Operation Grey has also been directed to expand nationwide with a particular focus on provincial hubs and cross-border networks. Legislative reforms to strengthen Pakistan’s cybercrime safeguards were recommended, including stricter measures to address money laundering through cryptocurrency. NCCIA also shared city-specific enforcement data: Karachi recorded 19 actions, Islamabad 17, Lahore 11, Rawalpindi 8, Faisalabad 7 and Multan just 1. These illegal centers involved 248 Pakistani and 259 foreign individuals out of a total of 507 accused, with Islamabad and Faisalabad registering the highest numbers of both categories. Karachi and Rawalpindi had more Pakistani involvement, while Multan showed minimal activity overall.
The briefing underscored the complexity of Pakistan’s fight against cybercrime, where gaps in digital and financial literacy expose consumers to predatory scams even as digital lending platforms grow. Officials stressed that ongoing efforts against illegal apps, which frequently resurface on online platforms, require sustained coordination among SECP, PTA and FIA. The committee also highlighted how delays in implementing comprehensive data protection legislation leave a significant gap in protecting sensitive financial information, urging that it be addressed alongside enforcement measures.
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