Suspect posed as a girl on social media to attract minors; case registered under PECA as the investigation links the operation to the dark web
RAWALPINDI:
Authorities have exposed a major network involved in the production, purchase and sale of obscene videos of children, arrested a key agent and recovered more than 600 videos.
The suspect, identified as Taimur Mahmood, a resident of Murree, was arrested from Rawalpindi by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). According to authorities, he posed as a girl on social media to attract underage boys and then blackmailed them through obscene videos.
Read: LHC seeks government response to request to restrict the use of social media by children under 16 years of age
Data recovered from Mahmood’s mobile phone revealed that he had shared videos and images of local and foreign children through various WhatsApp groups involving accomplices. Authorities said Mahmood had been continuously blackmailing children through videos and was also involved in extorting money for various purposes.
A case has been registered against him and the administrators of the WhatsApp groups under the provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and the scope of the investigation has been expanded. Investigations have also been launched into the suspect’s links to the dark web.
Officials at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said a wide-ranging investigation has been launched into the suspect, other people involved will soon be arrested and facilitators are also being identified.
In a separate case earlier this month, the NCCIA carried out a raid on January 25 in Islamabad PWD area and arrested a suspect identified as Shoaib for allegedly circulating obscene videos of a minor.
Two cellphones that authorities said contained additional videos of children were recovered from his possession.
A case was registered against the suspect under PECA, while further investigation was said to be underway.
Read more: NCCIA arrests child exploitation suspect, busts Rs 20 crore online fraud gang
Additionally, officials said the seized mobile phones have been sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed examination, and additional information is expected to emerge from the analysis.
Notably, on January 30, NCCIA launched an AI-based investigation tool to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to detect, prioritize and investigate online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The system, called Katalyst, was developed through a partnership between the Home Office and Narcotics Control and the UK-Pakistan Serious Crime and Law Enforcement Program (UPSCALE), funded by the British High Commission.
