National Cybercrime Investigation Agency says group posed as fake representatives to extort people’s money
Pakistan’s National Cybercrime Investigation Agency has arrested a man and filed charges against several individuals accused of running a complex online fraud scheme that allegedly targeted political figures and ordinary citizens through identity theft and false official statements.
According to investigators, the main suspect, identified as Muhammad Mazhar, son of Muhammad Hanif, allegedly contacted MPAs and political figures, claiming that a visiting United Nations delegation would represent the Pakistan People’s Party, claiming that the delegation would bring goods for which taxes would have to be paid.
The FIR states that the fraudsters used this pretext to solicit funds, persuading individuals to transfer money to bank accounts controlled by the accused.
The complainant said he was similarly duped and transferred a total of Rs468,500. Investigation records show that several transactions were routed to an Alfalah Bank account held in the name of another accused, Muhammad Javed, including payments of Rs264,500, Rs100,000 and another Rs100,000.
NCCIA officials said the group acted “in collusion with each other and operated like a gang.”
Arrest and evidence
Cyber Crime Circle Rawalpindi arrested Muhammad Mazhar following investigation. Investigators tracked the financial transactions and confirmed that the fraudulent amounts were deposited into accounts linked to the accused.
Authorities said the individuals were summoned several times by registered mail, text messages and notifications under article 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, but did not appear. The NCCIA later determined that the incriminating evidence warranted the formal registration of the FIR.
The case was filed under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) and Sections 419, 420 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to impersonation, cheating and abetment.
Further investigation is being supervised by sub-inspector Mehboob Elahi.
