FIA revives Rs172bn call centre fraud probe, forms 9-member JIT

The investigation had remained stalled for nearly two years and has now been reopened on the directives of the FIA high command. The newly constituted JIT will operate under the

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has revived its investigation into an alleged Rs172 billion call centre fraud and money-laundering network, constituting a nine-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the financial transactions and identify those allegedly involved in the scheme.

The investigation had remained stalled for nearly two years and has now been reopened on the directives of the FIA high command. The newly constituted JIT will operate under the supervision of an Assistant Director and include officials from relevant financial crime, cybercrime and legal wings.

According to an official notification available with Minute Mirror, the team has been directed to investigate financial transactions linked to the alleged call centre fraud and submit weekly progress reports to the FIA director in Islamabad. The investigation is also expected to be closely monitored at the headquarters level.

Sources familiar with the probe said the alleged network operated through multiple call centres during 2025 and was reportedly involved in defrauding foreign nationals. The proceeds were allegedly moved through a network of bank accounts, microfinance institutions and cryptocurrency channels in an effort to conceal the origin and destination of the funds.

Investigators have so far traced 192 suspected fake or benami bank accounts allegedly used as transit channels for the movement of funds. The accounts were reportedly opened across different banks and microfinance institutions using allegedly forged, third-party or questionable identities.

According to investigators, substantial amounts were moved rapidly through these accounts before being transferred elsewhere, a pattern that has prompted scrutiny under suspected money-laundering activity.

The investigation has also uncovered a cryptocurrency trail, with sources claiming that part of the alleged proceeds was converted into digital assets, including Bitcoin, before being transferred to wallets outside Pakistan. The tracing of cryptocurrency transactions and identification of overseas beneficiaries is expected to remain a key focus of the new JIT.

The team has been tasked with identifying individuals allegedly involved in operating or facilitating the call centre network, conducting a forensic examination of transactions linked to the reported Rs172 billion amount and tracing the ultimate beneficiaries of the funds.

The JIT will also examine the movement of money through domestic financial institutions, microfinance accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, while exploring possible measures to freeze or recover allegedly illicit proceeds.

An FIA source said the earlier investigation faced technical and jurisdictional difficulties, but the formation of a dedicated JIT was intended to address those challenges and move the case forward.

The team is expected to examine relevant banking records and question officials of financial institutions, microfinance organisations and individuals associated with the alleged call centres as the investigation progresses.