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The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Pakistan has issued a public advisory after alarming reports surfaced of cybercriminals targeting citizens, particularly youth and freelancers, through honey traps and fake job schemes on WhatsApp.
According to CERT, victims are being added to fake WhatsApp groups, where they are exposed to pornographic content and then blackmailed by individuals posing as officials from legal institutions.
In some cases, victims have been extorted for amounts ranging from Rs 1 million to Rs 1.5 million.
The advisory warns that cybercriminals are exploiting social media profiles to select targets.
National CERT Pakistan has urged the public, especially young people and freelancers, to tighten privacy settings on social media accounts and avoid accepting unverified job offers or group invitations.
CERT’s key safety guidelines include:
- Immediately exit suspicious WhatsApp groups
- Do not share or forward explicit content, as doing so can be a criminal offense
- Report any blackmail attempts without delay
- Use only verified freelancing platforms
- Report cybercrimes via the PTA complaint portal, National CERT, or the NCCIA portal
Authorities emphasize that victims should not suffer in silence and must report such scams promptly to help curb the growing threat of cyber exploitation.
The advisory serves as a reminder that digital safety is a shared responsibility, and users must stay vigilant against such evolving cyber threats.
