NCCIA arrests 42 in raids on three Lahore call centres
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency arrested 42 people, including 11 women, in raids on three alleged illegal call centres in Lahore. The centres are accused of targeting overseas customers, particularly in the United States.
- 42 suspects, including 11 women, were arrested in three raids in Lahore.
- The raids took place in Garden Town, Gulberg and OPF Society.
- Investigators seized 67 laptops, 50 mobile phones and two server systems.
- The allegations remain under investigation.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested 42 people, including 11 women, in raids on three alleged illegal call centres in Lahore. The centres are accused of targeting overseas customers, particularly US citizens.
The raids were carried out in Garden Town, Gulberg and OPF Society under the directions of Atif Ameer, Additional Director of the NCCIA Lahore Zone. Investigators seized 67 laptops, 50 mobile phones, two server systems and other computer equipment.
According to the agency, the suspects posed as representatives of US telecommunications companies. They allegedly approached customers with offers of mobile phone upgrades, telecom packages and SIM-related services, and used these offers to obtain financial information and collect money through unauthorised transactions.
Garden Town saw the most arrests, with 22 suspects, including 10 women, taken into custody. Officials recovered 19 laptops, a desktop computer and 24 mobile phones there. In Gulberg, seven suspects, including one woman, were arrested, and 28 laptops and 12 mobile phones were seized.
In OPF Society, 13 suspects were arrested. Investigators confiscated 20 laptops, 14 mobile phones and two server systems from that location.
Atif Ameer said a preliminary examination of digital material from the Garden Town premises revealed dialler software and data linked to suspicious activities. All seized devices are in the agency's custody for forensic analysis.
Investigators are examining digital records, suspected financial transactions and possible links between the three call centres to establish the role of each person arrested. Authorities are also working to identify others who may have been involved, and to establish whether the suspects were connected to a wider network targeting customers abroad.
Atif Ameer said the NCCIA Lahore Zone would continue operations against individuals and groups allegedly defrauding overseas customers under the guise of legitimate telemarketing. The allegations remain under investigation, and the suspects' responsibility will have to be established through the legal process.
Why it matters
Call centres in Pakistan accused of defrauding foreign customers are a concern because such cyber fraud can damage the country's image abroad. The case shows the NCCIA acting against such operations in Lahore.
