Cybercrime Ring
MULTAN: In a significant breakthrough, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has dismantled an elaborate cybercrime network operating out of Multan, which had been involved in defrauding both local and international victims through sophisticated online scams.
The operation, carried out after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, resulted in the arrest of several key suspects, with the total estimated fraud reaching a staggering Rs20 billion.
The primary suspect, identified as Arsalan from the Dunyapur area of Multan, was apprehended in a targeted raid. According to NCCIA officials, Arsalan was a central figure in a well-organized consortium that exploited popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook to carry out their illicit activities.
The network lured unsuspecting victims using a variety of deceptive tactics, including fake game shows, fraudulent marriage proposals, and fictitious foreign aid schemes. In many cases, victims were shown manipulated videos displaying stacks of foreign currency and were promised financial assistance—on the condition they first pay hefty “taxes” or “processing fees.”
Additionally, the criminals created convincing fake profiles on matrimonial websites to build trust with individuals before initiating financial fraud. These scams led victims to transfer significant sums of money, often under the guise of customs clearance charges, visa fees, or other fabricated expenses.
In a parallel operation, NCCIA apprehended six more individuals from Dunyapur, including Muhammad Rashid, Muhammad Isa, and Muhammad Younas.
These suspects had been operating similar fraudulent schemes using fake WhatsApp accounts and impersonating identities on Facebook. They relied on mobile wallet services such as JazzCash to receive funds from victims, making it difficult to trace and recover the stolen amounts.
Authorities emphasized that the dismantled network is only a small part of a much larger problem. Investigations suggest that dozens of similar cybercrime rings are operating across the country, with inquiries already underway in multiple jurisdictions.
In a related raid, NCCIA also arrested two more suspects, Samar Abbas and his accomplice, who had been wanted in connection with a Rs20 billion online fraud case.
The operation took place in the Layyah district, where the suspects were hiding after being on the run for over a year. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend a third suspect, Abdul Hai, believed to be another key player in the scam.
The NCCIA has urged the public to exercise caution while engaging in online transactions and to report any suspicious digital activities immediately. Legal proceedings are underway against the arrested individuals, and officials expect more arrests in the coming days as the investigation deepens.
