NCCIA busts online investment fraud ring in Karachi

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested 34 people, including 15 foreign nationals and 19 Pakistanis, in an operation against an organised group involved in online investment fraud in Karachi.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar shared details of the operation, saying the agency had successfully acted against an internationally organised online fraud network.

Speaking at a press conference, NCCIA Additional Director Tariq Nawaz was also present alongside the home minister.

Lanjar said the suspects lured citizens by promising high returns on investments.

They used fake log-ins to convince victims they were using genuine investment portals, while fabricated accounts were shown to display false profits.

During the operation, authorities recovered illegal gateway exchanges, six unauthorised gateways, more than 10,000 mobile SIM cards, thousands of international SIMs, 37 computers and 40 mobile phones.

According to Additional Director Tariq Nawaz, the arrests were made from DHA Phase One and Phase Six. He added that the investigation team is collecting further evidence using technical methods.

The Sindh home minister praised the NCCIA’s action and said such operations would continue to protect the public from online fraud.