ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) conducted a crackdown on a network allegedly having links to India and Brazil and involved in transferring data abroad.
The network was operating in the capital under the cover of illegal call centres run by Chinese nationals and locals.
A spokesman for the NCCIA Islamabad said it conducted successful operations at three locations over the last 24 hours as part of a major crackdown on illegal call centres. These operations, executed with the aid of intelligence and modern technology, targeted call centres established in Sectors E-11 and G-10.
“A total of 212 individuals were taken into custody; the detainees include Chinese and Pakistani men and women who were working at these centers and were involved in defrauding both domestic and foreign citizens.”
During the raids, the agency also seized a total of 306 mobile phones, 383 computers/CPUs and 299 monitors and laptops from the premises. The seized equipment has been transferred to the NCCIA laboratory for forensic analysis.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in international fraud—specifically “tasking fraud” and “love/dating scams”—by posing as Google representatives and swindling large sums of money from unsuspecting citizens. The network was found to have links to India and Brazil, and data was being transferred abroad.
A case has been registered against the suspects and further investigation is underway. Moreover, raids are being conducted to apprehend other facilitators connected to the network.
NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi stated that elements involved in illegal call centres and cyber fraud deserved no leniency. He said protecting citizens’ data and assets was the NCCIA’s top priority and affirmed that operations against cybercrime would continue without discrimination in line with a zero-tolerance policy.
Meanwhile, a meeting of senior officers was held at the NCCIA headquarters presided over by Mr Rizvi. The meeting reviewed the progress on ongoing development and construction work on the NCCIA buildings and other infrastructure.
Relevant officers provided detailed briefings on the current status of projects, the quality of construction materials, costs, timelines, and technical or administrative challenges. A comprehensive strategy for developing the infrastructure along modern lines to meet institutional needs was also deliberated upon.
Furthermore, strategies to ensure the efficient and transparent use of resources and quality control in construction work were discussed.
Mr Rizvi directed the officials concerned to ensure high standards, transparency and completion of all the projects within the stipulated timeframes, adding no negligence or delay would be tolerated.
He said engineering of the buildings under construction must ensure structural integrity and long-term durability to effectively meet institutional requirements, provide an optimal working environment for officers and staff and realise the vision of transforming the NCCIA into a modern, efficient and professional institution.
Speedy disposal of legal matters
In a push to transform the country’s top cybercrime body into a modern and professional force, the newly-appointed NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi has ordered transparency, merit and speedy disposal of legal matters to ensure prompt justice for citizens.
Presiding over a meeting, Mr Rizvi reviewed the performance of all wings and conducted a detailed assessment of administrative, financial and legal affairs.
Senior officers and the additional director (legal) briefed the DG on their respective domains, highlighting performance, challenges and future course of action. The meeting also held detailed deliberations on the strategy to further enhance the institutional capacity of the agency.
Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2026
