By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has said that several call centres operating in Karachi have become centres of organised crime, carrying out large-scale international fraud.
The suspects were accused of running sophisticated scams that targeted citizens with fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrency and forex trading, exploiting social media platforms to reach a wide audience. According to Sindh Interior Minister Zia Lanjhar, the perpetrators presented victims with counterfeit login screens and fake portals, creating the illusion of legitimate financial services.
The scams, he said, had defrauded numerous individuals across the country, highlighting the growing threat posed by digital financial crimes. The operation was carried out by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which seized 37 computers, 40 mobile phones, over 10,000 SIM cards, and six illegal gateway exchange devices.
Tariq Nawaz, Additional Director of NCCIA, noted that the team continued to analyze technical evidence, working to uncover further connections and the broader reach of the criminal network. The arrests were made in Karachi’s affluent DHA Phase 1 and Phase 6, underlining the increasingly sophisticated operations of cybercriminals operating both locally and internationally.
Officials described the dismantling of the network as a significant achievement in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime. Analysts warned that as more financial transactions move online, such criminal enterprises were likely to grow more complex, necessitating enhanced technical capacity, vigilance, and public awareness.
Community members and victims’ groups welcomed the arrests, calling for swift prosecution and broader measures to prevent similar scams from proliferating in the future. The case underscores the challenges authorities face in policing the digital economy, while reaffirming the state’s commitment to pursuing criminals exploiting technology for financial gain, ensuring accountability and protection for citizens navigating increasingly digital financial landscapes.
