Karachi has up to 350 scam call centres, says NCCIA official

KARACHI: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested more than 200 people in a crackdown on scam call centres operating in Karachi, Additional Director Shahzad Akbar said.

Speaking to ARY News, Shahzad Akbar said cybercrime was on the rise, with traditional crimes also shifting towards digital platforms.

He said around 300 to 350 skimming and scam call centres were operating in Karachi, adding that the NCCIA had decided not to give any concession to those involved in such activities.

The additional director said the agency had taken action against one of three major companies operating in the sector. He added that the same company had also faced action in the past.

Shahzad Akbar said more than 200 people had been arrested during the operation. He said around 100 women and 42 teenage boys and girls were among those arrested.

He added that the agency had registered a case against the entire network and would also bring parents of underage workers into the legal process under Section 109.

The NCCIA official said young people who should be receiving education were being employed in these call centres. He added that local residents and retired people had also been targeted in the fraud.

Shahzad Akbar said the agency had seized 329 laptops, each containing fake IDs and credit card details. He said people holding credit cards were being deceived through different offers and their accounts were emptied through fraudulent schemes.

He explained that criminals concealed their identities and used fake profiles to access and drain people’s accounts, which was illegal.

The additional director further said the agency was also working against drug networks operating in universities, adding that drugs were being supplied online.

He said the NCCIA was also monitoring agents operating outside various institutions who were involved in fraud, adding that action would be taken against them and challans would be submitted.