NCCIA detains suspect in Rs 35 billion cross‑border online fraud case

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency in Lahore has taken into custody the alleged architect of a massive international fraud operation valued at roughly Rs 35 billion. According to investigators, the scheme revolved around a website that marketed counterfeit United States postage stamps, ultimately selling more than five million bogus stamps to unwitting buyers.

The arrest followed coordinated raids at 35 sites spread across Punjab, Islamabad and Sindh. Agency officials said the sweep reflects the zero‑tolerance stance of Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, who has pledged to clamp down on transnational cyber fraud and any activity that could tarnish Pakistan’s image.

In a related development, the NCCIA’s Multan Circle succeeded in retrieving Rs 2 million for a citizen whose bank account was emptied after his mobile phone was compromised. The victim, Adeel Haris Siddiqui, reported the theft to the agency, which acted swiftly to recover the funds. The recovery underscores the agency’s ongoing commitment to shield the public from financial scams and to help victims recoup losses caused by cybercrime.