National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency says group posed as fake representatives to extract people’s money
Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has arrested a man and registered a case against several individuals accused of running an elaborate online fraud scheme that allegedly targeted political figures and ordinary citizens through impersonations and false official claims.
According to investigators, the main suspect, identified as Muhammad Mazhar, son of Muhammad Hanif, allegedly contacted AMP and political figures, claiming that a visiting United Nations delegation would be representing the Pakistan People’s Party, saying that the delegation would bring cargo on which taxes would have to be paid.
The FIR claims that the fraudsters used this pretext to solicit funds, persuading individuals to transfer money to bank accounts controlled by the accused.
The complainant alleged that he had also been cheated and a total of Rs 468,500 was transferred to him. Investigation records show multiple transactions directed to an Alfalah Bank account in the name of another accused, Muhammad Javed, including payments of Rs 264,500, Rs 100,000 and an additional Rs 100,000.
NCCIA officials said the group acted “in collusion with each other and operating as a gang.”
Arrest and evidence
The Rawalpindi Cyber Crime Circle arrested Muhammad Mazhar after investigation. Investigators traced the financial transactions and confirmed that the defrauded amounts had been deposited into accounts linked to the defendants.
Authorities said the people were repeatedly summoned by registered mail, SMS and notifications under Article 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, but did not appear. The NCCIA subsequently determined that the incriminating evidence warranted formal registration of the FIR.
The case was filed under section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and sections 419, 420 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to impersonation, deception and abetment.
Sub-inspector Mehboob Elahi is supervising further investigations.
