The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested 273 people, including more than 100 women and 42 minors, during a raid on an alleged international fraud network operating from a call centre in Karachi. The operation, conducted on November 4 near Kavish Crown Plaza on Sharea Faisal, resulted in the seizure of 339 laptops, 152 mobile phones and four computers.
Addressing a press conference, NCCIA Additional Director Shahzad Akbar said the raid targeted Voxtron Solutions. Preliminary investigations suggested that the call centre was allegedly targeting foreign nationals through impersonation, identity misuse and caller ID spoofing. The facility reportedly posed as a debt validation service and impersonated representatives of foreign banks to obtain victims’ personal and financial information.
According to Akbar, the stolen information, including Social Security Numbers and payment card details, was allegedly used to make unauthorised financial transactions through merchant accounts. The proceeds were reportedly transferred to Pakistan through company accounts and remittance channels. Investigators also found multiple user IDs registered under different names on individual laptops, suggesting the involvement of individuals and merchants abroad.
The NCCIA registered a case under various provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, including those relating to unauthorised access, electronic forgery and spoofing.
Following the arrests, relatives of the detained individuals staged a protest near Baloch Colony Bridge on Sharea Faisal, claiming their family members were not involved in illegal activities and demanding their release. Traffic was restored after negotiations with police and traffic officials.
A judicial magistrate granted two-day physical remand of nine key suspects, while female and underage detainees were released on bail against surety bonds. The remaining suspects were sent to jail on judicial remand.
The NCCIA said around 350 call centres in Karachi were under scrutiny for suspected fraudulent activities as part of its broader efforts to combat cybercrime.
