Karachi Board Warns Students Over Fake Website Scam
Karachi’s education board has warned students about a fake website scam that offered to clear examination papers for Rs10,000 per subject. The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) says the site impersonated the board.
The scam came to light after a fake results website appeared in Google search results. It directed students to a WhatsApp helpline, where they were allegedly offered the chance to have their examination results changed or cleared in exchange for money.
According to reports, women operating the helpline claimed to be BIEK employees. They asked students to transfer money to private bank accounts to change results or clear papers. The fraudsters allegedly promised that results would be updated within 24 hours of payment.
The fake website was later taken offline under the pretext of maintenance, after allegedly collecting millions of rupees from students.
Board denies any link
BIEK Chairman Faqir Muhammad Lakho has denied any connection between the board and the fraudulent website. He urged students to identify and use the board’s official website for information and contact details. He also warned them against relying on unauthorised online platforms.
Lakho said the board had repeatedly informed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) about the fake website. It had also sent a formal letter to the relevant authorities seeking action.
Board officials urged students and parents not to pay anyone claiming they can change, clear, or improve examination results in exchange for money. They advised students to avoid unverified websites and WhatsApp numbers, and to confirm all examination-related information through official channels.
Why students are vulnerable
Exam results carry high stakes for students and their families. A single paper can decide admission to a college or university, and the pressure around results creates room for fraud. Scammers exploit that pressure with a simple promise: pay, and the problem goes away within a day.
The use of a website in search results made the fraud harder to spot. Students searching for results could land on the fake page without realising it was not the board’s site. The WhatsApp helpline added a human touch, with operators claiming to be board staff. The demand for payment into private bank accounts, rather than an official account, was the clearest warning sign.
Parents should treat any offer to change results as fraud. Boards do not alter results for payment, and no official process runs through a WhatsApp number or a private account. Students who have already paid should preserve payment records and report the matter to the board and to the NCCIA.
How to stay safe from the fake website scam
The board’s advice points to three simple checks. First, use only the official BIEK website for results and contact details. Second, never pay a private individual or a private bank account for any exam-related service. Third, verify any surprising claim through the board’s official channels before acting on it.
Karachi students face other civic changes as well. The city’s Red Line bus rapid transit project has a revised completion target, covered in our report on the Red Line Lot 2 timeline. The Gul Plaza case also continues in court, with a shopkeeper’s statement recorded, covered in our report on the Gul Plaza witness statement. Karachi University has digitised its academic services, covered in our report on the digitisation effort. The Sindh government has also signed 34 memorandums of understanding with Chinese firms, covered in our report on the Sindh agreements.
Frequently asked questions
What did the fake website offer?
It allegedly offered to clear examination papers for Rs10,000 per subject, with results updated within 24 hours of payment.
Is the website linked to the Karachi board?
No. BIEK Chairman Faqir Muhammad Lakho denied any connection between the board and the fraudulent website.
Has the board reported the scam?
Yes. The board said it repeatedly informed the NCCIA about the fake website and sent a formal letter to the relevant authorities seeking action.
What should students do if approached?
They should not pay anyone claiming to change results. They should use only the board’s official website and report suspicious contacts to the board and the NCCIA.
