The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has raided an allegedly illegal call centre near Metropole in Karachi and taken more than 30 suspects into custody over their alleged involvement in an international fraud network, officials said on Wednesday.
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According to NCCIA officials, the call centre was allegedly being used to target foreign citizens through fraudulent activities.
Suspects Allegedly Posed as US Bank Representatives
Officials said the suspects allegedly posed as representatives of US banks and obtained sensitive financial information from foreign nationals.
The suspects allegedly used the information to transfer funds from victims’ bank cards into accounts controlled by members of the network.
The NCCIA team seized a large quantity of mobile phones, laptops, other digital devices, data and bank cards during the Karachi raid.
The suspects are being interrogated as investigators work to determine the full scope of the alleged network and identify other individuals who may have been involved.
Similar Crackdown in Lahore
The Karachi raid comes days after the NCCIA conducted a similar operation against allegedly illegal call centres in Lahore.
On October 4, the agency arrested 36 suspects during raids in Faisal Town and Johar Town, according to NCCIA officials.
The agency said the Lahore call centres were allegedly targeting foreign nationals through fraudulent schemes.
According to the NCCIA spokesperson, suspects were allegedly using dialling software to contact and defraud citizens abroad.
Officials recovered a large number of computers, laptops and mobile phones during the Lahore raids. The agency said the seized devices contained software and data allegedly linked to fraudulent activities.
Vehicles Also Seized
The NCCIA said investigators also traced another allegedly illegal call centre after conducting a raid at one of the Lahore locations.
The agency said its team completed the operation at the second site despite resistance from security personnel.
Several vehicles allegedly purchased with proceeds from criminal activities were also taken into custody during the Lahore operation, according to the NCCIA.
Investigation Underway
The NCCIA said further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the alleged international fraud networks.
Investigators are also working to identify additional suspects and establish how the call centres allegedly operated and transferred funds.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to investigation, and their legal status will be determined through the relevant judicial process.
