Pakistan cracks down on multibillion-rupee scam linked to call centres

Dubai: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Commercial Banking Circle Islamabad has launched a major crackdown on a transnational cybercrime network involved in a multibillion-rupee online scam.

The operation, dubbed 'Operation Grey', has been launched days before Eid Al Adha across Punjab and is being closely monitored by the highest levels of government.

The investigation has already led to the arrest of a woman and a private bank manager; both allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate using illegal call centres and digital platforms to carry out fraud.

A report by the State Bank of Pakistan had earlier flagged suspicious transactions amounting to billions of rupees across accounts held by 36 companies, triggering the probe.

Ten countries

Officials revealed that the network involves individuals from over ten countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Kenya, and South Africa, among others. Due to the scale and complexity of the operation, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are being kept informed of all significant developments.

According to reports, the criminal network generated revenue through illegal activities such as online gambling, fraudulent loan apps, call centre scams, bogus investment platforms, and pornographic content sites. The funds were laundered via hawala and hundi systems and converted into cryptocurrency for transfer abroad.

Bitcoin

In a major breakthrough, investigators have, for the first time, recovered Bitcoin from suspects' cryptocurrency wallets, alongside the seizure of huge sums in foreign currency. These developments mark a significant milestone in Pakistan’s fight against digital financial crimes.

The operation is being led by Aamir Nadeer, Additional Director of Operations at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) headquarters in Islamabad. Multiple FIA teams from the Islamabad and Rawalpindi circles are conducting raids to dismantle the network.

Authorities have confirmed that formal cases will be registered against the identified ringleaders. The remaining foreign nationals in custody are expected to be deported.

The FIA is investigating possible internal collusion, including the potential involvement of some FIA and cybercrime officials.

A senior NCCIA official stated that the operation will be expanded nationwide following the Eid holidays, targeting illegal and unlicensed call centres involved in cyber fraud and financial scams across Pakistan, Pakistani media reported.