Four held in Punjab cyber harassment crackdown

Four held in Punjab cyber harassment crackdown

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has intensified its crackdown on people involved in online harassment, blackmail and the misuse of women’s private images across Punjab, arresting four suspects in separate operations in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan and Faisalabad.

The operations followed special directives from NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim. Investigators also seized mobile phones, SIM cards, WhatsApp accounts and other digital evidence that could help establish the suspects’ involvement in the alleged offences.

In Lahore, NCCIA officials arrested a suspect identified as Qaiser for allegedly harassing and blackmailing a woman. According to investigators, the suspect repeatedly pressured the woman to marry him and threatened to circulate her photographs to other people if she refused. Officials have launched further investigations to determine the full extent of his activities.

In Gujranwala, the agency arrested Muhammad Muzammil and Ali Asghar in connection with an alleged blackmailing case. Investigators said Muzammil obtained a woman’s private photographs and used them to threaten her. He allegedly warned that he would send the material to her newly married husband and disrupt her marital life unless she met his demands.

The investigation found that the suspect allegedly demanded money from the woman, after which around Rs2 million was transferred to a bank account linked to Ali Asghar. During the operation, officials recovered three mobile phones, a WhatsApp account linked to a UK-based number and other digital material. Investigators are examining the devices and accounts to identify any additional communications or victims.

In Multan, NCCIA officials arrested Muhammad Tanveer for allegedly obtaining and distributing a woman’s private material through multiple WhatsApp accounts. Investigators said the suspect later used the material to harass the woman and her family. Officials recovered a mobile phone, a SIM card and a WhatsApp account allegedly used to circulate the material.

In Faisalabad, NCCIA officials arrested Khair Hayat over an alleged blackmailing case. Investigators said the suspect, along with his associates, demanded Rs500,000 from a woman in exchange for deleting her private photographs and other material. The suspect allegedly threatened and blackmailed the woman while demanding payment. Officials recovered a mobile phone during the operation and are examining it for further evidence.

NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim said the agency would continue taking strict action against individuals who use digital platforms to harass, threaten or blackmail women. He said investigators were examining the digital evidence recovered from the suspects and would pursue further leads emerging from the investigations.

The latest operations highlight the growing focus of law-enforcement agencies on cyber-enabled harassment and blackmail, particularly cases involving the misuse of private images and social media accounts. The NCCIA is also working to trace digital communications and financial transactions that could reveal links between the arrested suspects and other individuals involved in such activities.