NCCIA Busts Illegal Call Centres, Arrests 154
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested 154 suspects, including 53 women, after busting two illegal call centres in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during a three-day operation against international cyber fraud and online blackmailing networks.
NCCIA Additional Director Shoaib Khan told a press conference on Saturday that the suspects were involved in targeting citizens of South Asian countries through fraudulent loan applications, stealing personal information and using manipulated photographs and videos to harass and blackmail victims.
Cases have been registered against the arrested suspects, and further investigations are under way. The Nation reported further details from the case record: the Islamabad centre operated under the names Born CC and NZ Corporation, and used an app called Cashloan to recover money for several international online loan apps. The case was registered on November 13, and an Islamabad court on Saturday granted physical remand of the men and sent the women to Adiala Jail on judicial remand until November 28.
Two illegal call centres raided
NCCIA teams raided an illegal call centre operating inside a house in Rawalpindi and arrested 11 suspects, including 10 women and one man.
In a separate operation in Islamabad, 143 suspects, including 43 women, were arrested from another illegal call centre.
Shoaib said the suspects were running transnational fraud activities and targeting people in different South Asian countries through deceptive online schemes.
How the fraud worked
The suspects persuaded people to install mobile applications by offering loans. Once the applications were installed, the suspects obtained access to personal information, photographs and other data stored on victims’ mobile phones.
The photographs and videos were then allegedly edited to create obscene material, which was used to threaten, harass and blackmail the victims.
He said 37 suspects involved in harassment and blackmailing cases had also been arrested, adding that those involved had allegedly been carrying out such activities for the past two to three years.
The pattern is a familiar one in cyber fraud. The loan offer is the bait, the app is the trap, and the victim’s own photos become the weapon. Cyber criminals have used similar tricks at scale before, including a hacking ring that stole $400 million.
What officials warned
The Additional Director said the NCCIA was following a zero-tolerance policy against cyber fraud networks and would continue action against those involved in online financial crimes, harassment and blackmailing.
Shoaib announced that a major crackdown against fraud carried out in the name of online betting and gaming would be launched soon.
He warned that online betting and gaming fraudsters often attracted people by offering profits in the beginning but later deprived them of their money.
He also expressed concern over young people joining illegal call centres for attractive salaries. He appealed to parents to monitor their children’s activities and discourage them from accepting jobs at such centres, warning that involvement in illegal activities could damage their future and leave them with a criminal record.
Shoaib advised citizens not to install suspicious loan applications or share their photographs, mobile phone data and details of relatives with unknown individuals or online platforms.
He urged the public to remain alert to online fraud, protect their personal information and avoid fraudulent betting and gaming schemes.
How to stay safe
The warning is simple: never install a loan app from an unknown source, and never grant an app access to your photos, contacts or files unless you trust it fully.
Citizens should also protect what is already on their phones, since a single careless install can expose years of personal data.
As more payments move online, the risks grow with them. Islamabad is set to become fully cashless by December 31, and shops can already refuse contactless payments, so knowing which apps and payment channels are genuine matters more than ever.
Frequently asked questions
How many suspects did the NCCIA arrest?
154 suspects, including 53 women, were arrested after raids on two illegal call centres in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
How did the loan-app fraud work?
Suspects offered loans to persuade people to install mobile apps. The apps harvested personal data and photos, which were then edited into obscene material and used to blackmail victims.
Who were the victims?
Citizens of South Asian countries were targeted through the fraudulent loan applications and deceptive online schemes.
How long had the networks been running?
According to the NCCIA, those involved had allegedly been carrying out such activities for the past two to three years.
What should citizens do to stay safe?
Do not install suspicious loan apps, do not share photos, phone data or relatives’ details with unknown people or platforms, and stay alert to online betting and gaming fraud.
