NCCIA arrests 10-member gang for impersonating overseas Pakistanis in cyber fraud

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab arrested a 10-member inter-provincial gang allegedly involved in cyber fraud by impersonating relatives of overseas Pakistanis and deceiving citizens into transferring money through fake emergency requests

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jul, 2026) The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab arrested a 10-member inter-provincial gang allegedly involved in cyber fraud by impersonating relatives of overseas Pakistanis and deceiving citizens into transferring money through fake emergency requests.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the suspects allegedly used foreign WhatsApp numbers and caller-masking software to conceal their identities before posing as close relatives living abroad.

The spokesperson said the accused falsely claimed they were facing visa, immigration or other emergency situations requiring immediate financial assistance. To make the scam appear genuine, they allegedly sent forged Western Union receipts and fake transaction slips before asking victims to transfer money into bank accounts operated by the gang.

During a raid in Sohan Garden, Islamabad, NCCIA arrested all 10 suspects, who belong to Sindh. They were identified as Mohsin Braro, Muhammad Adil, Asadullah, Mashooq Ali, Arz Muhammad, Dilbar Ali, Daud, Fahad, Imtiaz Ali and Ibtisam.

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During the operation, investigators recovered 10 mobile phones containing WhatsApp conversations, forged financial documents, foreign contact numbers, banking details, card information and other digital evidence allegedly used in the commission of the offences.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang had allegedly defrauded one victim of Rs1.02 million, while investigators suspect that several other people may also have fallen victim to the same fraudulent scheme.

The spokesperson said FIR No. 92/2026 had been registered and further investigation was underway to trace the financial trail, identify additional victims and facilitators, and recover the defrauded amount.

He said the NCCIA would continue its crackdown against organised cyber fraud and other cyber-enabled financial crimes to protect citizens and bring those involved to justice.