The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has warned citizens against a fake Rs13,000 cash reward scam, with fraudulent messages circulating in the name of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agency said on Monday the messages were designed to deceive people and steal their personal information and banking details. It advised the public not to click suspicious links or share personal and banking information in response to such offers.
An NCCIA spokesperson said cyber fraudsters are circulating fake reward messages claiming the prime minister is offering Rs13,000 in cash. Such messages can carry suspicious links that harvest personal information and banking details, leaving recipients open to online financial fraud.
The warning was also carried by other news outlets on Monday, including Pakistan Observer, 24NewsHD and UrduPoint. ARY News had reported the advisory a day earlier, noting that the scammers were using the prime minister’s name around Iqbal Day to give the fake offer a festive cover.
What citizens should do
The spokesperson urged citizens not to click on unverified links and not to provide personal information, bank account details or other sensitive data in response to such messages. He also advised the public not to forward fake messages to others and to report any suspicious communication to the relevant authorities at once.
Director General NCCIA Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said the agency was following a zero-tolerance policy against cyber fraud and would keep taking action against those involved in online scams. He urged citizens to stay vigilant and report cybercrime incidents through the NCCIA helpline 1799 or by visiting their nearest NCCIA circle office.
People who receive a suspicious message can also file a complaint through the NCCIA’s online complaint portal. The portal takes complaints about online fraud, harassment and other cybercrime.
A wider crackdown on call centres
The warning comes as the agency steps up action against organised online fraud. The NCCIA has begun prosecution in cases against illegal call centres, and police raided illegal call centres in Lahore earlier this month. The raids form part of a broader drive against centres that run scams through phone calls and messages.
Pakistan has also moved to strengthen cybercrime cooperation abroad. A cybercrime agreement with Sudan was signed this month, while the national cyber emergency response team has warned banks about AI-driven cyber threats.
The Rs13,000 figure is not random. Scammers pick amounts that sound like a real government payout, large enough to tempt people but small enough to seem plausible. The messages often arrive with a link that asks for a bank account number, a one-time password or a copy of an identity card, and that is where the theft begins.
How to spot a fake Rs13,000 cash reward message
No government department announces cash rewards through random text messages or WhatsApp forwards. Genuine welfare payments, such as those under the Benazir Income Support Programme, are announced through official channels and verified at designated centres, not through links sent to a phone.
A message that asks for banking details, a password or a fee to release a reward is a fraud. Citizens should check any claim on the official website or helpline of the department named in the message before acting on it.
The NCCIA said public awareness and responsible online behaviour are essential to preventing cyber fraud. Cyberattacks are also hitting targets abroad, including a fridge network in Europe, which shows how quickly online crime crosses borders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fake Rs13,000 message?
Fraudsters are sending messages falsely claiming that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is offering a cash reward of Rs13,000. The messages carry links designed to steal personal information and banking details.
What should I do if I receive the message?
Do not click any link, do not share personal or banking details, and do not forward the message. Report it to the NCCIA helpline 1799 or to your nearest NCCIA circle office.
How can I report cybercrime online?
Complaints can be filed through the NCCIA’s online complaint portal, or by calling the helpline 1799.
Why did the scammers pick Rs13,000?
The amount sounds like a plausible government payout, large enough to tempt people but small enough to seem real. Similar scams have used welfare and scholarship offers in the past.
Is the NCCIA taking action against online fraud?
Yes. The agency says it follows a zero-tolerance policy against cyber fraud, and it has moved against illegal call centres in Lahore and elsewhere, with prosecutions under way.
