NCCIA busts 3 cybercrime gangs, arrests 9 in Punjab crackdown

The operations were carried out on the directives of NCCIA Punjab Director Operations Muhammad Ali Waseem, targeting groups accused of

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab has arrested nine suspected members of two alleged cybercrime networks during coordinated operations in Faisalabad and Multan, intensifying its campaign against online fraud across the province.

The operations were carried out on the directives of NCCIA Punjab Director Operations Muhammad Ali Waseem, targeting groups accused of carrying out sophisticated cyber scams involving social media, financial fraud and blackmail.

In Faisalabad, authorities arrested six alleged members of the notorious “Odd Gang,” who are accused of hacking WhatsApp accounts by posing as courier service representatives. Investigators said the suspects deceived victims into sharing verification codes, allowing them to gain access to WhatsApp accounts and defraud people across the country of large sums of money.

In a separate operation in Multan, NCCIA arrested three suspects linked to a gang allegedly involved in fake TikTok financial assistance schemes and honey-trap scams. According to investigators, the suspects impersonated government officials, promising financial aid to victims before using fraudulent tactics to extort money. The group is also accused of blackmailing women after trapping them online.

Officials revealed that one female victim was allegedly defrauded of Rs39 million by the gang. During the raids, investigators recovered mobile phones and devices containing fake social media accounts believed to have been used in the criminal activities.

Director Operations Muhammad Ali Waseem praised the performance of the investigation teams and announced cash rewards in recognition of their successful operations. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to taking indiscriminate action against cybercriminals and protecting the public from online fraud.