Three arrested for sim-based banking fraud

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested three accused, including a banker, for allegedly running an organised gang involved in bank fraud through fake SIM cards and unauthorized access to citizens' online banking accounts

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested three accused, including a banker, for allegedly running an organised gang involved in bank fraud through fake SIM cards and unauthorized access to citizens' online banking accounts.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson on Wednesday, the action was taken on the directions of Punjab NCCIA Director Muhammad Ali Waseem.

The spokesperson said that the accused included Muhammad Tayyab, Muhammad Umar and facilitator Atif, who was associated with a private bank. The accused allegedly obtained citizens' identity data and used an illegal multi-fingerprint biometric system to issue fake and duplicate SIM cards.

The accused later used those SIMs to gain unauthorized access to victims' online banking accounts and transferred millions of rupees to different accounts, the spokesperson added.

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The NCCIA Lahore registered case No. 61/2026 under relevant sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (amended 2025) and the Pakistan Penal Code.

During the operation, officials also recovered two mobile phones and 11 SIM cards from the possession of the accused.

According to authorities, the accused were involved in advanced cyber fraud and theft of citizens' financial information, while evidence of defrauding multiple victims of huge amounts has also been obtained.

Investigation Officer SHO Najam Ashraf Bajwa is conducting further investigation, while raids are being carried out to arrest other facilitators of the gang.