ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Continuing its zero-tolerance policy against cybercrime, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) recovered Rs3.2 million in two separate online investment and trading fraud cases and arrested a suspect involved in child exploitation and blackmailing of a minor during an intensified crackdown in Rawalpindi.
In the first case, the NCCIA recovered Rs1.8m from suspects involved in an online investment fraud in which a citizen was defrauded of over Rs2.9m through Facebook and WhatsApp.
According to the agency, the complainant was initially contacted on Facebook through an account named Misbah Sabir and later approached on WhatsApp by a person posing as an online businessman, who persuaded him to invest money online.
The fraudsters shared a link, which, when clicked, led to the installation of an application named “Onchainus.net” on the complainant’s mobile phone. Through the app, the fraudsters allegedly defrauded him of Rs2,915,872. During the operation, the NCCIA recovered Rs1.8m.
Further investigation is under way to identify other persons involved and ensure full recovery of the amount.
In the second case, the NCCIA recovered Rs1.4m in an online trading and investment fraud in which a Rawalpindi resident was defrauded of over Rs21m.
The complainant, Muhammad Arshad, son of Ameer Khan, was lured into a purported online trading scheme through a WhatsApp group named “v185-Wharton”, which offered lucrative investment opportunities and substantial profits.
He subsequently transferred a total of Rs21,018,511 from his bank accounts to various beneficiary accounts through an app and by using an ATM card, suffering a substantial financial loss. The accused in the case is currently on physical remand.
The NCCIA said investigation was underway to identify other members of the fraud network and ensure full recovery of the amount.
In the third action, the agency arrested a suspect involved in child exploitation and blackmailing and recovered a mobile phone from him.
The inquiry was initiated on the complaint of Mushtaq Khan, who reported that a suspect was involved in possessing, producing and distributing child exploitation material and blackmailing his son.
The complainant said his son used to play online games on his mobile phone. During gaming, the accused contacted the minor and lured him with the promise of providing a gaming ID. He then called the boy to his place, where he allegedly exploited him and recorded videos of the incident to blackmail him.
The NCCIA recovered a mobile phone from the accused. Further investigation is underway to identify other persons involved and conduct a forensic analysis of the digital evidence.
Fake messages
Separately, the agency warned citizens against fake messages circulating in the name of a Rs13,000 cash prize from the prime minister, saying fraudsters were attempting to loot people through bogus prize schemes.
According to an NCCIA spokesperson, citizens were being targeted through suspicious links sent in fake prize messages. Clicking on these links could result in the theft of personal and banking information.
The agency advised the public not to click on unverified links, share personal or banking details with anyone, or forward such fake messages.
Officials said the NCCIA was committed to taking strict action against those involved in child exploitation, blackmailing, online fraud and fake investment schemes, adding that no one would be spared.
Citizens have been asked to report cybercrime incidents through helpline 1799 or at the nearest NCCIA circle.
