The suspect posed as a girl on social media to attract minors; case registered under PECA because an investigation links the operation to the dark web
RAWALPINDI:
Authorities exposed a large network involved in the production, buying and selling 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 in Rawalpindi by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Authorities say he posed as a girl on social media to lure underage boys, then blackmailed them through obscene videos.
Read: LHC calls for government response to call to restrict social media use by children under 16
Data recovered from Mahmood’s mobile phone revealed sharing of videos and images of local and foreign children through various WhatsApp groups involving accomplices. Officials said Mahmood was continuously blackmailing children through videos and was also involved in extortion of money for various purposes.
A case was filed 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 was widened. Investigations have also been opened regarding the suspect’s links to the dark web.
National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) officials said a wide-ranging investigation into the suspect has begun, others involved will be arrested soon and facilitators are also being identified.
In another case earlier this month, the NCCIA conducted a raid on January 25 in Islamabad’s PWD area and arrested a suspect identified as Shoaib for allegedly circulating obscene videos of a minor.
Two cell phones were recovered from his possession, which authorities believe contained additional videos involving children.
A case has been registered against the suspect under PECA, while further investigations are said to be underway.
Learn more: NCCIA arrests child exploitation suspect, busts Rs20 million online fraud gang
Additionally, officials said the seized cellphones were sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed examination, and additional information is expected to emerge from the analysis.
Notably, on January 30, the 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, named Katalyst, was developed through a partnership between the Department of Home Affairs and Narcotics Control and the UK-Pakistan Serious Crime and Law Enforcement (UPSCALE) programme, funded by the British High Commission.
