154 arrested as NCCIA busts illegal call centres

Authorities have arrested 154 suspects during a three-day operation against illegal call centres in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as part of efforts to curb cybercrime and transnational fraud networks.

According to a spokesperson for the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), two illegal call centres were raided during the operation, resulting in the arrest of 154 individuals. The raids were conducted in both cities to dismantle networks allegedly involved in defrauding citizens of South Asian countries.

In Rawalpindi, law enforcement officials raided a call centre operating from a residential house and arrested 11 suspects, including 10 women. In a separate operation in Islamabad, 143 individuals were taken into custody, including 43 women.

The NCCIA spokesperson said the suspects were allegedly involved in transnational fraud targeting citizens across South Asian countries. They reportedly used loan offers to persuade victims to install mobile applications, through which they gained access to their personal data.

The suspects allegedly edited victims’ photographs and videos to blackmail and intimidate them. According to the agency, 37 of the arrested individuals had reportedly been involved in blackmailing people for the past three years.

NCCIA Additional Director Shoaib Khan said the agency had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against cyber fraud networks and would continue taking action against those involved in such activities.

He also announced that a major crackdown against fraud carried out in the name of online betting and gaming would be launched soon.

Warning parents about the risks associated with illegal call centres, Shoaib Khan urged them to monitor their children’s activities. He cautioned young people against accepting jobs at illegal call centres merely because of promises of attractive salaries, saying such employment could destroy their professional records and future careers.

He further advised citizens not to share their photographs, mobile phone data or relatives’ personal information with unknown individuals or suspicious platforms.

The NCCIA official also urged the public to stay away from online betting and gaming schemes, warning that such platforms often offer initial profits to gain users’ trust before eventually emptying their accounts.