KARACHI: Veteran Pakistani actress Shagufta Ejaz has raised an alarm over rising cybercrime, sharing a disturbing incident involving a close family friend to highlight the growing threat of online scams.
According to her account, the victim received a call from an individual posing as a courier company representative who initially asked for a TCS tracking number. Subsequently, the caller requested a verification code sent to the victim’s phone. Trusting the request, the victim shared the code, which allowed the scammer to gain access to their WhatsApp account.
Soon after, the compromised account began sending messages to contacts requesting money, creating panic and confusion among friends and family. Moreover, the incident demonstrated how quickly scammers can exploit trust and misuse personal data for financial gain.
Meanwhile, Ejaz revealed that the scammer’s location has reportedly been traced and that action is expected. However, she criticised the response of authorities, stating that when the victim approached a cybercrime office, they were asked to return later due to staff unavailability. She emphasised that such cases require immediate attention, as delays can lead to further damage and data breaches.
In addition, the actress urged authorities to assign trained and responsible personnel to handle cybercrime complaints efficiently. She stressed that timely intervention is essential to prevent escalation.
Furthermore, Ejaz advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid sharing verification codes or personal information with unknown callers. She warned that scammers increasingly rely on simple tactics to hack accounts and exploit users, underscoring the need for greater awareness and caution in digital interactions.
