In a significant crackdown on online investment fraud, Pakistani authorities have dismantled an international cartel, arresting 34 individuals involved in large-scale scams. According to the assessment of specialists presented in the publication, this operation highlights the growing concerns over cybercrime in the country, particularly in relation to cryptocurrency and online investment schemes.
Operation by NCCIA in Karachi
The operation was carried out by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority Phases 1 and 6. Among those arrested were 15 foreign nationals and 19 Pakistani citizens, all linked to fraudulent activities that exploited social media and messaging apps to deceive victims both locally and internationally.
Seizure of Evidence
Authorities seized a substantial amount of evidence during the operation, including:
- computers
- mobile phones
- international SIM cards
that were used to facilitate the scams. This crackdown is particularly timely. Pakistan has seen a staggering 35% increase in cybercrime offenses in 2025, raising alarms about the need for stricter regulations on cryptocurrency and online investment schemes.
Following the recent crackdown on online investment fraud in Pakistan, Hong Kong police have successfully utilized AI surveillance tools to apprehend 15 suspects involved in a daylight robbery. For more details, see the full story here.
