ISLAMABAD: In a breakthrough, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested two suspects involved in a massive Rs20 billion online fraud operation in Multan.
The accused, identified as Samar Abbas and his accomplice, were captured during a targeted raid. Authorities are actively pursuing a third suspect, Abdul Hai, who remains at large.
According to NCCIA officials, Abbas had been evading arrest for over a year before being tracked down and apprehended in the Layyah district.
The group lured residents of South Punjab into fraudulent online trading schemes by promising high returns. Victims were persuaded to invest large sums, only to be defrauded out of billions.
Additional Director of NCCIA revealed that hundreds of complaints have been lodged in connection with the scam, which is considered one of the largest cyber frauds reported in the region.
The suspects used sophisticated digital tools and deceptive online platforms to gain public trust, capitalizing on the surge of interest in virtual investment opportunities.
This arrest forms part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime across Pakistan. Recently, the NCCIA, in cooperation with global law enforcement bodies including the FBI and Dutch police, dismantled an international cybercriminal organization known as the “HeartSender Group,” which operated out of Multan and Lahore.
The Rs20 billion fraud case underscores the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity and greater public vigilance. Authorities are urging citizens to thoroughly verify any online investment schemes and report suspicious activity to relevant enforcement agencies.
NCCI Cracks Down on Global Cybercrime Ring
In a related development, Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, in collaboration with NCCIA Multan, dismantled a major international cybercrime network. Five members of the 21-member gang — Muhammad Aslam, Adeel Aziz, Usama Nawaz, Abdul Moeez, and Shoaib Nazir — were arrested.
The network, reportedly led by Rameez Shahzad, was involved in large-scale financial fraud, primarily targeting foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens.
