Pakistan busts major international cybercrime ring; 149 arrested

Pakistan’s cybercrime authorities have arrested 149 individuals including foreigners and dismantled what they describe as a major international cyber fraud ring operating out of a private residence in Faisalabad, the country’s third-largest city.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), working with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, carried out a raid on an illegal call center in Faisalabad.

The center was located at the residence of Malik Tahseen Awan, a former chairman of the board of directors at Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and a leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Officials said 149 individuals were arrested during the raid. They are accused of running large-scale Ponzi schemes and committing cybercrimes.

According to the NCCIA, the suspects orchestrated cyber attacks that targeted international banking systems, financial institutions, and online security infrastructures. These operations allegedly caused fraud worth millions of dollars across multiple countries.

Of those arrested, 71 suspects — including both Pakistani and foreign nationals — were presented in local court. The suspected mastermind, Malik Tahseen Awan, was not among them. NCCIA officials said he escaped before the raid and is currently in hiding.

NCCIA spokesperson Syed Najeebul Hassan, in conversation with Nukta, said a five-day remand has been obtained of all accused.

Authorities have launched an intensified search to locate and arrest Awan. The NCCIA has also submitted a formal request to add his name to the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), a government travel monitoring system, to prevent any attempt to leave the country.

“Surveillance and tracking operations are ongoing,” the NCCIA said.

Police also arrested several foreign women in Faisalabad who were allegedly involved in online financial frauds.

According to authorities, these women posed as representatives of fake prize schemes and welfare programs, including the Benazir Income Support Program, to deceive people.

Police said they contacted victims through social media platforms and tricked them into sending money.

Officials said mobile phones, SIM cards, and other material used in these scams were recovered during the operation.