Nationwide operations target online fraud networks and illegal call centres, with 973 suspects arrested in raids, including 211 foreign nationals.
ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested 1,749 suspects, recovered Rs149.8 million and registered 442 cases during a nationwide crackdown on cybercrime over the past 53 days.
An NCCIA official said on Wednesday that the campaign, conducted under the leadership of Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, targeted online fraud networks, illegal call centres and other cybercriminal activities under the agency’s zero-tolerance policy.
During the reporting period, the agency received 10,386 cybercrime complaints and initiated 6,672 inquiries, leading to the registration of 442 cases across the country.
The NCCIA Cyber Patrolling Unit also completed technical assessments of 4,530 URLs and referred 1,186 suspicious web links to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking.
The official added that 559 inquiries were initiated and 51 cases registered through related monitoring and enforcement activities.
NCCIA raids illegal call centres
Providing details of action against illegal call centres, the official said the agency conducted 59 raids nationwide, resulting in 43 cases and the arrest of 973 suspects.
Among those arrested were 211 foreign nationals. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 15,502 items for investigation and further examination.
The agency said the crackdown aimed to dismantle organised cyber fraud networks, identify individuals involved in online financial scams and prevent the misuse of digital platforms for illegal activities.
NCCIA vows tougher action against cybercrime
Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards cybercriminal networks, saying operations against individuals and groups involved in cybercrime would be intensified.
He said the NCCIA would continue enforcement activities nationwide to protect citizens from online fraud, financial scams and other digital threats.