Lahore: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) detained 36 people during raids on two alleged illegal call centres in Lahore as part of an investigation into suspected cyber fraud targeting people overseas.
According to the NCCIA, teams conducted operations in Faisal Town and Johar Town, where suspects allegedly ran unauthorised call centres.
Investigators said the centres used dial up and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software to make international calls. The callers allegedly posed as representatives of mobile phone companies and telecommunications providers, offering people abroad fake mobile upgrades, network packages and other services.
The NCCIA seized computers, laptops and mobile phones during the raids. Officials said an initial examination found dial up software and data allegedly linked to fraudulent activities on some of the seized devices. The NCCIA seized the digital evidence for further examination.
Officials said they traced the second call centre during the investigation following the first raid. The NCCIA team faced resistance from security guards at the second location but completed the operation, an agency spokesperson said.
Investigators also seized several vehicles suspected of being purchased with proceeds from the alleged fraud.
The NCCIA said investigators were working to identify the owners, facilitators, and others allegedly involved in the operation. Investigators are also examining the financial trail and any possible overseas links.
The Lahore raids are part of a wider crackdown on suspected fraudulent call centres. In recent operations, the NCCIA detained 61 people at a Rawalpindi call centre allegedly involved in a foreign loan recovery scam. In contrast, more than 70 were detained in raids on two Karachi call centres accused of targeting US citizens.
NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said the action against illegal call centres was intended to protect Pakistan’s digital and financial reputation. The investigation into the Lahore operations is ongoing.
