NCCIA arrests 34 suspects in major online investment scam crackdown

ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has arrested 34 individuals, including 15 foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in an online investment scam that deceived citizens by promising high returns.

Addressing a press conference along with NCCIA Additional Director Tariq Nawaz, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said the suspects lured people into fake online investment schemes by claiming unusually large profits.

He said victims were shown fabricated profits through fraudulent logins designed to resemble legitimate investment portals, creating a false sense of trust.

During the operation, authorities seized 37 computers, 40 mobile phones, more than 10,000 SIM cards and six illegal gateway exchanges. Lanjar said the SIM cards were used to create fake accounts on social media platforms and Telegram.

NCCIA officials said the arrests were made during raids in DHA Phase-1 and Phase-6, and included 19 Pakistani nationals along with the foreign suspects. The agency added that investigators are collecting further technical evidence to strengthen the case.

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The Sindh home minister praised the NCCIA’s handling of the operation, saying cybercrime posed a serious threat to public trust and financial security. He reiterated the provincial government’s resolve to take strict action against organised cybercriminal networks.

Earlier in July, the NCCIA arrested five foreign nationals accused of running an illegal call centre in Islamabad’s G-10 area. Authorities said the centre was hosting a fraudulent online network, with more than 60 Pakistani nationals employed at the site.