The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) received 10,386 cybercrime complaints over a period of 53 days, according to official figures, as authorities intensified action against online fraud, illegal call centres and other cybercrime activities.
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Following the complaints, the agency registered 6,672 inquiries and filed 442 cases related to various cybercrime incidents. A total of 1,749 suspects were arrested during operations, while authorities recovered more than Rs. 149.8 million.
The figures also show that the agency’s Cyber Patrolling Unit completed technical analysis of 4,530 URLs and referred 1,186 illegal web links to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking.
NCCIA Conducts 59 Raids Against Illegal Call Centres
As part of a crackdown on illegal call centres, authorities conducted 59 raids in different areas, resulting in the registration of 43 cases.
A total of 973 suspects allegedly involved in illegal call centre operations were arrested. Law enforcement agencies also seized 15,502 items during the raids.
The crackdown further resulted in the arrest of 211 foreign nationals, according to the official figures.
Karachi Reportedly Has Hundreds of Scam Call Centres
Earlier, NCCIA Additional Director Shahzad Akbar said that around 300 to 350 skimming and scam call centres were operating in Karachi.
He said the agency had decided to take action against those involved in such activities without offering concessions.
According to Shahzad Akbar, the agency had taken action against one of three major companies operating in the sector. He added that the same company had faced action in the past.
The official also expressed concern over the employment of young people in illegal call centre operations, saying that individuals who should be receiving education were being recruited.
He said local residents and retired people had also been targeted through fraudulent schemes.
Laptops Containing Fake IDs and Card Details Seized
Shahzad Akbar said the agency had seized 329 laptops containing fake identification details and credit card information.
He said people holding credit cards were being deceived through different offers, with fraudsters allegedly using the information to empty their accounts.
The NCCIA’s reported actions include complaint processing, investigations, arrests, financial recoveries and referrals of suspicious online links for blocking.
The figures highlight the scale of cybercrime complaints and enforcement activity reported by the agency over the 53-day period.
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