Lahore: A judicial magistrate on Friday extended the physical remand of two suspects in an alleged counterfeit US postage label scheme involving an estimated Rs 35 billion.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) produced Faheem Akram and co suspect Naeem after their previous four day remand expired. Investigators requested further custody for questioning.
Magistrate Naeem Wattoo granted another four days and directed the agency to produce both suspects again on November 3. Physical remand allows investigators to keep suspects in custody for questioning under a court order. It is not a finding of guilt.
What is the alleged scheme?
Investigators allege that Akram operated a website from August 2023 through which more than five million counterfeit US postage labels were sold.
A postage label is attached to a parcel to show that its delivery charges have been paid. A counterfeit label imitates a genuine one without valid payment to the postal service.
US prosecutors allege that the website sold labels for around USD two each, regardless of a package’s weight, size or destination.
According to the US Department of Justice, a federal grand jury in Florida indicted Akram in September 2026 over the alleged sale of more than 5.1 million counterfeit labels. Prosecutors put the resulting losses to the US Postal Service at more than USD 126 million.
The alleged postal service loss is separate from the amount the suspects may have earned through label sales. Investigators are still examining the value and volume of transactions.
A US court authorised the website’s seizure and shutdown. The NCCIA subsequently arrested Akram, a Khanewal resident, in Lahore.
Investigators trace payments
NCCIA Lahore Zone Additional Director Atif Ameer said investigators had identified 16 bank accounts allegedly used in the operation: seven operated by Akram, five by his brother, two by his wife and one each by his sister and aunt.
He said the agency was examining transactions between the accounts and investigating whether relatives or other individuals helped operate the website, process orders or receive payments.
The alleged use of relatives’ accounts remains under investigation and does not by itself establish their involvement in wrongdoing.
Ameer said eight teams conducted raids at 35 locations and questioned 47 people across an investigation spanning Punjab, Islamabad and Sindh.
Investigators also examined telephone records, mobile device tracking reports and footage from 120 cameras. The agency said digital forensic techniques and artificial intelligence tools were used to help trace the suspect.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to court proceedings.
