The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested five suspects in two separate operations involving alleged online blackmailing and illegal betting in Karak and Lahore, while recovering Rs82,000 for a woman who was defrauded online in Islamabad.
In the first case, NCCIA Peshawar arrested a suspect in Karak for allegedly blackmailing and harassing a minor girl using morphed explicit content and demanding ransom through WhatsApp.
During the operation, officials recovered a laptop and two mobile phones. Preliminary analysis reportedly revealed objectionable material and a social media account allegedly used to share the content.
An FIR has been registered under Sections 16, 22 and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, as amended in 2025, read with Sections 34 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Further investigation is underway.
In a separate case, NCCIA Islamabad Circle recovered Rs82,000 for a woman who had allegedly been swindled through cyber fraud. The agency said it was working to resolve citizens’ financial complaints and take legal action against those involved in cybercrime.
Meanwhile, NCCIA Lahore arrested four suspects during a raid on a private housing society over an alleged illegal online betting operation targeting foreign nationals through online gaming platforms.
The agency recovered a CPU, a laptop and six mobile phones containing data allegedly linked to the operation.
A case has been registered under Sections 13, 14 and 16 of PECA 2016, read with Sections 419, 420 and 109 of the PPC. Further investigation is underway.
