NCCIA raids 3 Lahore call centres, arrests 42 in alleged US scam

Lahore:A major crackdown on suspected cyber fraud in Lahore has led to the arrest of 42 people, including 11 women, after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raided three alleged illegal call centres accused of targeting overseas customers, particularly US citizens.

The raids were conducted in Garden Town, Gulberg and OPF Society under the directions of NCCIA Lahore Zone Additional Director Atif Ameer. Investigators seized 67 laptops, 50 mobile phones, two server systems and other computer equipment as they began probing the alleged telemarketing scam.

According to the agency, the suspected operations involved posing as representatives of US telecommunications companies and approaching customers with offers of mobile phone upgrades, telecom packages and SIM-related services. The suspects allegedly used these offers to obtain customers’ financial information and collect money through unauthorised transactions.

Three raids uncover suspected fraud network

Garden Town accounted for the largest number of arrests, with 22 suspects, including 10 women, taken into custody. Officials recovered 19 laptops, a desktop computer and 24 mobile phones from the premises.

In Gulberg, NCCIA teams arrested seven suspects, including one woman, and seized 28 laptops and 12 mobile phones.

The third raid, conducted in OPF Society, resulted in the arrest of 13 suspects. Investigators confiscated 20 laptops, 14 mobile phones and two server systems from the location.

The recoveries across all three sites are now being examined to determine how the alleged operations functioned and whether the suspects were connected to a wider network targeting customers abroad.

Digital evidence under forensic examination

Initial investigations have already uncovered potentially significant evidence. Atif Ameer said a preliminary examination of digital material recovered from the Garden Town premises revealed dialler software and data associated with suspicious activities.

The agency has taken all seized devices into custody for detailed forensic analysis. Investigators are examining the digital records, suspected financial transactions and possible links between the three call centres to establish the individual roles of those arrested.

Authorities are also working to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the alleged activities.

The arrests mark another enforcement action against suspected cybercrime operations using telemarketing as a cover for financial fraud. However, the allegations remain under investigation, and the suspects’ individual responsibility will need to be established through the legal process.

Atif Ameer said the NCCIA Lahore Zone would continue operations against individuals and groups allegedly defrauding overseas customers under the guise of legitimate telemarketing services.

The investigation is expected to focus on how customer information was obtained, how payments were processed and whether the suspected operations were linked to additional networks inside or outside Pakistan.