The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has uncovered a major cyber fraud racket involving foreign nationals and Pakistani collaborators, orchestrating a fake job scam that defrauded victims by extorting large sums of money through digital manipulation and impersonation, according to media reports.Â
The investigation began following a formal complaint from Aamir Azeem Abbasi, a resident of Islamabad, who reported significant financial losses from an online job scam.Â
In response, NCCIA launched an investigation, which led to a raid at a setup in a plaza in G-10 Markaz area of Islamabad. The accused were found impersonating representatives of a non-existent company, targeting foreign nationals with fake job offers, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency trading opportunities.
Five individuals, including foreign nationals and Pakistani citizen Mohammed Zamil, were arrested during the raid. The suspects were found with valid passports and operating from a fully-equipped digital fraud setup.Â
Authorities seized incriminating digital evidence, including AI-generated images, fake identities, internet conversations, and software used to manipulate communications on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.
According to the NCCIA, the suspects used a multi-tier structure, with ‘analysts’ profiling victims, ‘finance managers’ handling cryptocurrency and fiat currency laundering, and ‘killers’ draining victims’ bank accounts once access was gained.Â
Charges have been filed under Sections 13 and 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, alongside sections 419, 420, 34, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Inspector Ashir Aroon is overseeing further investigations.
A judicial magistrate granted a two-day physical remand for the five accused, and they will appear in court again on July 16. The prosecutor noted that the accused were involved in running an illegal call center.
