NCCIA Lahore Crackdown Leads to 281 Arrests in Seven Illegal Call Centers

NCCIA – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The NCCIA Lahore crackdown has ended with 281 arrests after a week of raids on seven illegal call centers in the city. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency shared the details on Friday.

Additional Director Atif Ameer told reporters that 260 Pakistanis and 21 foreign nationals were held. The foreigners include 12 Chinese, five Filipinos, two Vietnamese, one Malaysian and one Nepali. Twenty women were also among those arrested.

The agency says these centers were used for financial fraud, online harassment and honey-trapping.

During the raids, officers took 362 mobile phones, 191 computer systems, 74 laptops, 127 other digital devices and 550 SIM cards. All of this equipment is now being checked by forensic experts.

Money was also recovered. The NCCIA got back Rs19.246 million in five cases and 10 inquiries. These involved transfers through JazzCash, Easypaisa and bank accounts. Investigations are still going on.

Child safety was another focus. Three men were arrested in separate cases linked to child abuse material, which they allegedly shared, uploaded or spread in WhatsApp groups. The agency is using artificial intelligence and working with international groups to spot such crimes faster. With AI help, one suspect was traced and arrested in Gujranwala.

Officials are also handling cases of blackmail and exploitation of women. One suspect allegedly pushed women to make objectionable content by promising marriage. Another allegedly blackmailed a woman with private photos taken from a stolen phone. A further suspect was arrested in Farooqabad, Sheikhupura, on Thursday night.

Asked about cricketer Muhammad Rizwan, Atif Ameer said the player has handed over his phone for forensic checks. He said the facts will become clear after the analysis.

The NCCIA has also been given duties linked to money laundering and is building its strength to handle new cybercrime methods. A case is registered only after an inquiry is complete and a committee gives approval.

The NCCIA Lahore Zone holds open courts three days a week to hear public complaints. The agency says action will continue against cybercrime, fraud, child exploitation and online harassment.