On May 18, The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) apprehended a 15-member gang involved in defrauding citizens through mobile phone and WhatsApp account hacking. The arrests followed a series of coordinated raids across various locations in the Punjab province.

According to Muhammad Ali Wasim, Director of NCCIA Punjab, the gang contacted individuals via WhatsApp, impersonating senior government officials to establish rapport with potential victims. Once trust was gained, they demanded money under false pretences, such as fake taxes and processing fees. Additionally, the suspects enticed victims with fraudulent prize schemes and gift offers.

Preliminary investigations show the gang gained unauthorised access to victims’ mobile phones and WhatsApp accounts. Following the hacking, they used the victims’ contact lists and phone numbers to propagate their fraudulent activities, expanding their network of potential targets.

During the crackdown, the NCCIA seized 16 mobile phones, several fake WhatsApp accounts, suspicious voice messages, and forged JazzCash accounts believed to be used in the fraudulent operations. The arrested individuals were identified as Tehseen Saeed, Muhammad Sadaam, Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Sohail, Muhammad Shaan, Muhammad Rehan, Muhammad Muzammil, Zain Abbas, Umair Bashir, Ijaz Ahmed, Ali Hassan, Bahadur Ali, Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Asif, and Mohsin Ishtiaq. These suspects were apprehended during raids conducted in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur.

The NCCIA indicated that efforts are ongoing to locate additional facilitators linked to the network, with further arrests anticipated.