Fake job scam: Two suspects arrested

Fake job scam: Two suspects arrested

LAHORE: A group allegedly involved in defrauding respected members of the community by posing as government officials and promising government jobs has been exposed, with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Faisalabad arresting two suspects.

According to officials, the suspects contacted influential and well-known individuals in different areas by phone and introduced themselves as government officers or officials with access to the recruitment process. They allegedly claimed that they could secure government jobs for the children of their targets in various departments in exchange for money.

Investigators said the suspects created the impression that they had strong connections within government institutions and could influence recruitment decisions. After gaining the trust of their victims, they demanded money as a fee for arranging employment. In some cases, the suspects allegedly asked victims to transfer advance payments into mobile financial accounts.

The arrests came as part of an ongoing NCCIA crackdown on cyber fraud, impersonation and digital deception. The operation followed special directions from NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem to take strict action against individuals exploiting government names and positions to deceive citizens.

During the investigation, officials found that the suspects had also targeted a citizen from Chiniot. The suspects reportedly contacted the man through mobile phone calls and offered to help him secure a government job. They allegedly assured him that they could facilitate the recruitment process and subsequently instructed him to transfer money into different mobile accounts.

The NCCIA traced the suspects by conducting a technical analysis of the mobile numbers, SIM cards and phones they allegedly used to contact victims. Investigators examined digital links and communication records to establish the suspects’ identities and their alleged involvement in the scam.

During the operation, officials arrested Muhammad Ammar Mehdi and recovered two mobile phones from his possession. A forensic examination of the devices reportedly revealed WhatsApp numbers, conversations, IMEI details and other digital evidence relevant to the investigation.

Investigators also discovered communication between Ammar Mehdi and another suspect, Muhammad Imran, including conversations related to accounts and the alleged fraudulent activity. Acting on the information gathered during the investigation, the NCCIA arrested Imran as well. Officials recovered one mobile phone from his possession.

The agency is now examining the digital evidence recovered from both suspects to determine the full scope of the alleged operation. Investigators are also looking into whether other individuals were involved in contacting victims, collecting money or facilitating the fraudulent transactions.

Officials said the suspects allegedly exploited people’s trust in government institutions by falsely claiming to have influence over public-sector recruitment. Authorities have warned citizens to remain cautious about individuals who demand money in return for government jobs or claim to have direct access to recruitment officials.

NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem has directed officials to further intensify action against fraudsters who misuse the names of government departments and public officials to deceive citizens.

The investigation against the two arrested suspects remains underway, while authorities are working to identify other possible members of the group and establish the complete method used to carry out the alleged fraud.