The federal government has decided to launch a major nationwide crackdown on illegal call centres, according to media reports.
The decision was taken after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) Operation Grey failed to effectively curb illegal call centre activities. A new task force has now been established to intensify action against such operations.
The task force comprises officials from sensitive agencies, the FIA Cyber Crime Wing and the National Forensic Agency. It will operate under the FIA headquarters and include representatives from the federal police and district administration.
All relevant departments have been directed to provide assistance to the task force, which will investigate activities involving blackmail, gambling and financial fraud. The Ministry of Interior will receive daily updates on action taken against illegal call centres.
Sources said authorities have also prepared a list of suspected illegal call centres operating in Karachi for further action.
The crackdown follows a recent operation in Islamabad’s Sector I-10/3, where the FIA and NCCIA detained 275 foreign nationals during a raid on an alleged illegal call centre.
Officials said the operation uncovered the alleged involvement of the call centre management in the production of obscene and unethical content. The detained individuals included nationals from several countries, including China.
According to officials, foreign men and women had allegedly been recruited to produce immoral content at the facility.
The NCCIA registered cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), while the FIA initiated cases against the detained foreign nationals under the Foreigners Act.
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