The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) says it has dismantled two alleged cybercrime networks, arresting a total of 22 suspects in separate operations linked to embassy data hacking and online financial fraud.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, NCCIA Punjab Director Ali Waseem said authorities had arrested a 12-member gang accused of hacking the data and contact numbers of several foreign embassies, including those of Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy.
According to the NCCIA, the group had been operating since 2019 and allegedly redirected embassy contact numbers to lines under its control to target Pakistani and foreign nationals through online scams.
Investigators said they recovered fake appointment letters, mobile phones and other digital evidence during the operation. Officials also alleged that the suspects created counterfeit embassy websites and replicated the online platforms of diplomatic missions to deceive victims. A uniform resembling that of the Singapore Police was also recovered during the raids.
The agency said efforts were continuing to trace and arrest other suspected members and facilitators linked to the network.
In a separate operation, the NCCIA said it had arrested 10 members of an inter-provincial gang accused of posing as relatives of overseas Pakistanis to obtain money through fake emergency requests.
According to the agency, the suspects allegedly used foreign WhatsApp numbers and caller-masking software to impersonate family members living abroad, claiming they urgently needed financial assistance because of visa, immigration or other difficulties.
Officials said the group used forged receipts and fake transaction slips to convince victims before directing them to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by the suspects.
The arrests were made during a raid in Sohan Garden, Islamabad, where investigators recovered mobile phones containing WhatsApp conversations, forged financial documents, foreign contact numbers, banking details and other digital evidence.
The NCCIA said preliminary investigations indicated that one victim had been defrauded of Rs1.02 million, adding that further investigations into both cases were under way.
Read more: Fact check: Has TikTok Live been banned in Pakistan by PTA?
Also read: Federal govt approves 7% salary increase for govt employees
