NCCIA Cracks Down on Foreign-Led Illegal Call Centre in Karachi; 34 Arrested

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has successfully dismantled an international call centre racket operating in Karachi, arresting 34 individuals, including 15 foreign nationals, and seizing a significant cache of equipment used for fraud.

Authorities revealed that the criminal network ran two illegal call centres targeting unsuspecting victims with fraudulent cryptocurrency and forex investment schemes. Officials estimated the scam involved transactions totaling around $60 million, conducted via Bitcoin and other digital currencies.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar stated that the operation uncovered the network’s sophisticated setup, which included over 10,000 SIM cards, 37 computers, 40 mobile phones, and an illegal gateway exchange facilitating call operations. The arrests include three foreign women, highlighting the international nature of the scam.

The NCCIA explained that the foreign group had been deceiving Pakistani citizens, convincing them to transfer funds to fake investment platforms before blocking further contact. The scale of the operation reflects the growing threat of globally organised cybercrime networks operating within Pakistan.

Minister Lanjar emphasized that these illegal call centres were not only involved in financial fraud but also had connections to other criminal activities, including narcotics. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cracking down on cybercrime and protecting citizens from such scams.

The NCCIA raid marks a significant step in combating cross-border digital fraud, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable while strengthening Pakistan’s cybercrime enforcement framework.