NCCIA arrests 36 in Lahore call centre raids and seeks more officers

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal call centres in Pakistan. In Lahore, authorities arrested 36 suspects during raids in Faisal Town and Johar Town. The group allegedly used dial-up software to defraud foreign nationals. During the operations, officials seized computers, laptops, mobile phones, and vehicles suspected to have been purchased with criminal proceeds.

To bolster its investigative capacity, the NCCIA has requested the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to provide 200 police officers on deputation. The request, sent via formal correspondence to the KP chief secretary and inspector general of police, seeks various ranks including 20 deputy superintendents of police, inspectors, and constables. The agency aims to recruit personnel with expertise in cybercrime and investigation to manage thousands of public complaints regarding online fraud and blackmail.