NCCIA warns against fake female social media profiles and online blackmail

ISLAMABAD – The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) issued a firm warning on Monday about the creation of counterfeit social‑media accounts that impersonate women, the unauthorized sharing of their personal data and images, and the use of such material for blackmail. In a statement posted on its official Twitter account, the agency reminded the public that blackmail, the leakage of private information and the fabrication of false profiles are criminal offenses under Pakistani law.

“Blackmailing women, leaking private pictures or creating fake profiles are crimes,” the NCCIA wrote, urging citizens to speak out against these illegal acts and to submit complaints, together with any supporting evidence, to the agency. The statement, which also included an Urdu translation, called on the public not to remain silent and to help expose those responsible for online harassment.

The agency added that safeguarding Pakistan’s digital space is a collective duty. “A safer digital Pakistan is a shared responsibility,” the NCCIA said, encouraging people to report incidents of harassment, fake accounts, misuse of private images and extortion by calling its helpline at 1799. Victims and concerned individuals were also urged to come forward and file reports to help create a more secure online environment.

The warning follows a recent case in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where police arrested a suspect for posting a video of a girl on TikTok through a fabricated account without her consent. According to a police spokesperson, the complaint was filed on 25 September 2026 by the victim’s family, who said the girl was recorded while traveling to an academy with her brother. The incident prompted SSP Mirpur Khurram Iqbal to order the Cyber Crime Unit to investigate using advanced technical tools and to pursue legal action.

The Cyber Crime Unit traced the fake TikTok account and identified the suspect as Essa, son of Afzal, a resident of Bang Rarah in Islamgarh tehsil, Mirpur district. SHO Islamgarh Umair Rasheed and a police team subsequently detained the individual. Further investigation is ongoing to verify all details of the case.