Cyber Crime Agency Busts Foreign Gang Operating Call Centre for Extortion

Strategic Insights -

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has disrupted a global cybercrime operation, arresting five foreigners who were running a call centre in Islamabad, Pakistan. The gang, with accomplices in various countries, aimed to extort money from citizens through online earning schemes. The agency registered a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code, and is currently investigating the suspects with the help of Inspector Ashir Aroon.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NCCIA busted a gang of five foreigners operating a call centre in Islamabad, Pakistan, with the intent to extort money from citizens through online earning schemes.
  • The gang had accomplices in various countries who stole money from citizens' bank accounts under the pretext of online earning schemes.
  • The suspects used internet-downloaded and AI-generated photos along with fake personas to initiate conversations with isolated or vulnerable individuals through social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
  • The scammers operated in a multi-tier setup, consisting of scammers, Telegram receptionists, finance managers, and accomplices in foreign countries, who laundered the fraudulent money via cryptocurrency wallets.
  • The suspects were arrested after a raid on July 13, and a case was registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code.
  • The investigation is ongoing, and the role of any other involved persons, if identified, will be revealed during the investigation.

Statistics:

  • 5 foreigners were arrested for operating a call centre in Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • The gang had accomplices in various countries.
  • The suspects extorted large sums of money from both local and international victims.
  • The fraudulent money was laundered via cryptocurrency wallets.
  • The case was registered on July 13.
  • The investigation has been assigned to Inspector Ashir Aroon.
  • Five suspects were produced before Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah.

Sources:

  • "NCCIA busts gang operating call centre for extortion", NCCIA, [no date]
  • "Five foreigners arrested in Islamabad for operating call centre", Express Tribune, [no date]