DRAFT — MNAs Lose Rs 3.5m as Duplicate SIM Fraud Hits Bank Accounts
- Suggested slug: mnas-sim-fraud-bank-accounts-rs-35-lac
- Category: National News
- Focus keyphrase: MNAs SIM fraud
- SEO title: MNAs SIM Fraud Drains Rs 3.5m from Bank Accounts
- Meta description: MNAs SIM fraud cost two lawmakers Rs 3.5 million after duplicate SIMs let scammers raid their bank accounts. The PTA has fined the operator.
- Tags: SIM fraud, MNAs, bank fraud, PTA, cybercrime, NADRA, duplicate SIM, Karachi
- Original element: explainer context — how duplicate-SIM fraud works in Pakistan (victim’s phone goes silent, OTPs rerouted, online banking registered in the victim’s name), framed with Feature Pakistan’s prior coverage of PTA scammer warnings and NADRA impersonation scams, with internal links.
- Source: https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/19/2-mnas-lose-rs-35-lac-to-bank-fraud/ (ProPakistani, published 19 Oct 2026)
- Story date: 19 October 2026
- Image file: hourly-2232-mnas-sim-fraud-bank-accounts.webp
- Image title: MNAs SIM fraud bank accounts scam
- Image alt: Close-up of a SIM card illustrating the MNAs SIM fraud that drained Rs 3.5 million from bank accounts
- Image caption: A SIM card. Fraudsters issued duplicate SIMs on victims’ numbers to hijack their bank accounts. Image: ProPakistani
- Image credit: Image: ProPakistani
—
MNAs Lose Rs 3.5m as Duplicate SIM Fraud Hits Bank Accounts
Two members of the National Assembly have lost Rs 3.5 million in separate cases of SIM fraud, according to a ProPakistani report, after criminals had duplicate SIM cards issued on their mobile numbers and used them to break into their bank accounts.
MQM MNA Farhan Chishti lost Rs 1.5 million in the first case. A duplicate SIM was issued against his number without his knowledge, and his original SIM stopped working. The fraudster then used the hijacked number to register him for online banking and transferred the money out.
MNA Shaharyar Mahar lost Rs 2 million in a second, separate incident. A Karachi-based businessman, Sunny Kumar, also lost Rs 8.5 million after a duplicate SIM was issued in his name.
How the duplicate SIM trick works
The method is simple and widely used by organised fraud gangs. The criminal gets a duplicate SIM issued on the victim’s number, usually through stolen identity documents or misused biometric data. The victim’s own phone suddenly loses signal, while every call and text message, including one-time passwords from the bank, lands on the criminal’s SIM.
With the victim’s number under their control, the fraudsters register for internet banking or reset existing login credentials. Banks treat the number as proof of identity, so the account falls open. In this case, the MNAs SIM fraud victims lost a combined Rs 3.5 million before anyone noticed what had happened.
Bank employee suspected of helping the gang
The case involving businessman Sunny Kumar exposed a troubling inside link. Investigators found that a bank employee had accessed customer records and shared the information with others. They also found evidence of attempts to obtain customer data from employees of other banks and NADRA staff.
The discovery suggests the gang did not act alone. Criminals may be obtaining fingerprints from leaked data or misusing biometric information collected during routine services, according to investigators. NADRA has previously warned the public against fake websites and agents collecting personal data, a problem Feature Pakistan has covered before.
PTA fines telecom operator Rs 77.8m in each case
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has fined a telecom operator Rs 77.8 million in each of the two cases. The fine signals that the regulator holds operators responsible when duplicate SIMs are issued without proper verification.
The PTA has stepped up action against digital fraud this year, including warnings during Cybersecurity Week about scammers targeting mobile users. Readers can also check our guide on the signs of phishing text messages to protect themselves.
MNAs SIM fraud raises questions about bank safeguards
Action against the banks involved was reportedly limited to orders to return the victims’ money. That response may trouble customers, since online banking systems allowed new registrations from a freshly issued duplicate SIM with little extra verification.
The episode shows that even sitting lawmakers are exposed. Anyone who banks through a mobile number, which is most account holders in Pakistan, faces the same risk if a duplicate SIM lands in the wrong hands. Customers who lose signal suddenly should treat it as an emergency and contact their bank and mobile operator at once. Our guide on protecting an online banking account explains the steps in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is SIM fraud?
SIM fraud, also called SIM swap fraud, happens when a criminal gets a duplicate SIM issued on your mobile number. Your own SIM stops working, and the criminal receives your calls, texts and bank verification codes.
How did the MNAs lose their money?
Duplicate SIMs were issued on the MNAs’ numbers without their knowledge. The fraudsters used the hijacked numbers to register for online banking and transferred Rs 1.5 million and Rs 2 million from their accounts.
What should I do if my SIM suddenly stops working?
Contact your mobile operator and your bank immediately. Do not wait for the signal to return, since the delay is exactly what the fraudster uses to move money.
Has the telecom operator been punished?
Yes. The PTA fined the operator Rs 77.8 million in each of the two cases for issuing duplicate SIMs without proper checks.
