NCCIA cracks down on cyber fraud, arrests 7 in Lahore and Multan

Acting on special directives from NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials in Lahore arrested a suspect identified as Haider Ali, who allegedly

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested seven suspects in separate operations against online financial fraud in Lahore and Multan, exposing schemes involving WhatsApp hacking, fake visa charges and marriage scams.

Acting on special directives from NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials in Lahore arrested a suspect identified as Haider Ali, who allegedly posed as a courier company representative to obtain victims’ OTPs and verification codes. The suspect and his associates reportedly gained access to WhatsApp accounts and then contacted victims’ relatives and friends to demand money.

Investigators said one victim transferred Rs2.77 million to an account linked to Haider Ali. The money was subsequently moved through several accounts and withdrawn. A mobile phone recovered from the suspect contained WhatsApp conversations, transaction records, identity documents and other digital evidence.

In Multan, authorities arrested Muhammad Imran Shahid for allegedly impersonating a victim’s cousin and demanding money through phone calls and WhatsApp messages on the pretext of visa extension and visa fees. The suspect reportedly received Rs580,000 from the victim.

In another case, five suspects were arrested for allegedly using fake Instagram and Snapchat profiles to befriend women and lure them with marriage proposals. The suspects allegedly sent fake gift and parcel receipts before demanding money under the guise of customs duties, taxes and clearance charges.

Mobile phones were recovered during the operations, while investigators are examining the suspects’ financial transactions, call records and digital data. The NCCIA said further revelations are expected as the investigations continue.