The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has arrested 28 suspects during a province-wide crackdown on online fraud in Punjab.
The suspects allegedly targeted citizens through impersonation, fake investment schemes and fabricated official identities.
During the operations, authorities recovered 24 mobile phones and a laptop for further examination. Investigators are examining the devices to determine whether they contain evidence linking suspects to a wider fraud network.
18 Suspects Arrested in Lahore
In Lahore, the NCCIA arrested 18 suspects during separate operations against alleged online fraud networks.
According to the agency, suspects used several identities to gain victims’ trust before demanding or receiving money. They allegedly posed as relatives, visa agents, government officials and Punjab Safe Cities Authority personnel.
The alleged methods varied, but impersonation remained a common feature in several cases. In one case, fraudsters allegedly posed as a relative and a visa agent while targeting a victim.
The suspects allegedly received Rs25.86 million from the victim through the fraudulent scheme. The case highlights the scale of financial losses allegedly suffered through impersonation-based online fraud.
Faisalabad Investment Fraud Case
Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested in Faisalabad over an alleged fake investment scheme. According to the NCCIA, the suspects convinced a victim to invest money using fabricated trading records.
They allegedly used fake digital wallet balances and profit statements to make the investment scheme appear genuine.
As a result, the victim allegedly suffered a financial loss of Rs54.6 million. The investigation will now examine the recovered evidence and the suspects’ alleged involvement in the scheme.
Seven Arrested in Multan
In Multan, the NCCIA arrested seven suspects over allegations involving multiple forms of impersonation.
The suspects allegedly posed as relatives, bank employees and Britain-based individuals while contacting potential victims.
They allegedly demanded payments using different claims designed to convince victims to transfer money. These claims reportedly included prize money, customs clearance, taxes and visa renewals.
The arrests form part of the wider provincial crackdown against organized online fraud.
FIA Makes Separate Arrests
Separately, the Federal Investigation Agency arrested Khadija Sameer over an alleged unauthorized MoFA attestation and apostille office.
The office was allegedly being operated in Gulberg without authorization. In another case, the FIA arrested proclaimed offender Parvez Ahmad.
Authorities had reportedly been searching for Ahmad since 2024 in connection with an electricity theft case.
The latest arrests involve separate investigations from the NCCIA’s province-wide action against online fraud. Further investigations are underway as authorities examine the cases and the evidence recovered during the operations.
