Cybercrime incidents in Pakistan — including WhatsApp hacking and digital financial fraud — have surged by 35% so far in 2025, according to the officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
They said that the increase stems largely from the country’s lack of digital literacy, which leaves citizens vulnerable to sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) and personal data with hackers. A majority of such attacks reportedly originate from South Punjab and cross-border networks.
According to a news report, the rise follows findings by Visa, which reported that every second Pakistani fell victim to online financial fraud in 2024, while one in five experienced multiple scams.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) 2024 Annual Administration Report, over 73,000 cybercrime complaints were filed across Pakistan last year, though only 1,604 cases were formally registered. Nearly half of these related to financial fraud.
In Karachi alone, NCCIA has received around 29,000 cybercrime complaints so far this year, a significant increase from 2024. The majority involve financial scams, online harassment, and data theft.
Despite Pakistan’s improved position in the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index — ranking among the top 46 countries in 2024 from 79th in 2021 — the country continues to struggle with widespread digital illiteracy. Officials say this disconnect explains why cyber incidents continue to rise despite better security frameworks.
Authorities have urged schools, civil society, and policymakers to promote digital awareness programs and update educational curricula to include cybersecurity literacy.
Experts noted that digital fraud affects individuals across all age groups, not just younger, tech-savvy users. The final crime rate for 2025 may vary, but authorities say the trend remains alarming.
The NCCIA has reportedly recovered millions of rupees in stolen funds this year, though most cases remain difficult to resolve because many hacking operations are based outside the country.
