National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Dismantles Lahore Call Centres
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Lahore Zone has successfully dismantled two illegal call centres running an international mobile telecom scam. During these targeted operations, authorities arrested 12 suspects, which included two women, and seized 28 digital devices used in the illicit enterprise. The crackdown highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb transnational cyber fraud originating from domestic hubs.
Officials reported that the network specifically targeted citizens residing in Canada, the United States and other foreign countries. The perpetrators posed as representatives of major telecommunication providers, including Rogers, Bell, Telus and AT&T. By offering fake phone upgrades, discounted network packages and special SIM deals, the suspects tricked victims into handing over sensitive financial information. This data was subsequently exploited to execute illegal transactions and carding fraud.
How the Lahore Raids Were Executed
The coordinated raids took place at two distinct premises named Solution Hub in Batapur and Task Taker in Punjab Housing Society. Law enforcement moved on the locations after receiving credible intelligence and securing proper search warrants from a competent judicial authority. Additional Director Atif Amir personally led both operations and remained present on site to oversee the actions of the raiding teams.
Security personnel detained a total of 12 individuals across the two sites during the operations. Six men and one woman were taken into custody at the first location, identified as Arsala Tahir, Muhammad Sameer Tahir, Hussain Rizwan, Abdul Rehman, Umar Khalid, Syed Ali Murtaza and Sohaib Ali. At the second location, officers detained four men and one woman, named Ayesha Muzammil, Moazzam Sultan, Zain Ashraf, Zain and Muhammad Faisal.
Seized Evidence and Forensic Analysis
During the searches of Solution Hub and Task Taker, agents confiscated a substantial quantity of electronic hardware. The seized inventory includes 13 laptops, two desktop computers and 13 mobile phones used by the operators to maintain communication with foreign targets.
Initial technical checks of the hardware revealed specialized dial-up software designed to call victims abroad, alongside extensive operational data logs. Investigators have transferred all recovered digital evidence to forensic laboratories for detailed examination to trace the full extent of the financial network and identify additional accomplices.
Legal Proceedings and Official Stance
Formal cases have been registered against all 12 arrested suspects, and active investigations are continuing to uncover broader links. Additional Director Atif Amir stated that the agency will continue action against illegal call centres, international telecom fraud and misuse of citizens financial information without discrimination, in accordance with the law.
This enforcement action forms part of a wider government campaign targeting fraudulent operations that damage international reputations and exploit foreign nationals through sophisticated technical setups.
Recent Crackdown in Karachi Highlights Nationwide Scope
The Lahore raids followed another major operation conducted just a day prior in Karachi. The NCCIA announced the arrest of 273 people during a massive raid on a call centre situated on Sharea Faisal in connection with an alleged international financial fraud network. That operation took place on Nov 4 at premises located near Kavish Crown Plaza.
In the Karachi raid, investigators seized an even larger volume of equipment, recovering 339 laptops, 152 cell phones and four computers. The scale of both operations demonstrates the extensive infrastructure used by syndicates running transnational cyber scams from urban office spaces.
Modus Operandi of the Karachi Operation
According to NCCIA Additional Director Shahzad Akbar, the Karachi-based call centre operated under the commercial name Voxtron Solutions. Preliminary findings indicate that the establishment targeted foreign nationals through impersonation, identity misuse and caller ID spoofing under the pretext of providing debt validation services.
Staff members allegedly posed as representatives of foreign banks and debt validation service providers. They contacted individuals abroad and offered to verify their outstanding financial obligations while systematically harvesting private data.
Akbar stated that investigators possess reasonable grounds to suspect the scheme was designed to obtain sensitive personal and financial information, including Social Security Numbers and payment card credentials. The simultaneous emergence of these large syndicates underscores the growing challenge of cross-border cyber crime and the corresponding rise in specialized law enforcement responses.
