Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency confirmed the arrest of 149 individuals, including 71 foreign nationals from multiple countries, in one of the largest such operations in recent years.
The raid, conducted at a residential property formerly linked to a power grid official, uncovered an elaborate Ponzi scheme targeting victims through social media platforms. According to official reports, the syndicate initially lured investors through small payouts before convincing them to deposit larger sums. Investigators found the operation utilised WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels to manipulate victims into funding fake TikTok and YouTube subscription services.
فیصل آباد: غیر ملکی خواتین آن لائن فراڈ میں گرفتار، BISP و جعلی انعامی سکیموں کا جھانسہ دے کر شہریوں سے رقم بٹورتی تھیں۔ سائبر کرائم و حساس اداروں کی کارروائی میں موبائل، سمز و دیگر شواہد بھی برآمد۔ خواتین کو عدالت میں پیش کر دیا گیا#Faisalabad #OnlineFraud #CyberCrime #BISPScam pic.twitter.com/MtmUaTPZgD
— Faisalabad TV (@FSDTv41) July 9, 2025Among those detained were 48 Chinese nationals, along with citizens from Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar. The gender breakdown revealed 18 female suspects among the arrested individuals. Authorities emphasised the international scope of the operation, which allegedly defrauded victims across multiple jurisdictions.
71 suspects presented in court as major cybercrime ring unravels in Faisalabad
A local court in Faisalabad on Tuesday saw 71 individuals — including several foreign nationals, brought forward in connection with a vast international cyber fraud network uncovered by the National… pic.twitter.com/z4a5PvL4BF
— Nukta Pakistan (@NuktaPakistan) July 9, 2025A police report obtained by media outlets detailed the scam’s modus operandi. “The network first established trust by providing minor investment returns,” the document stated, “then systematically escalated demands for larger financial commitments.” The transition from WhatsApp to more secure Telegram channels reportedly allowed the fraudsters to evade detection while expanding their criminal activities.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency acted on credible intelligence about the Faisalabad-based operation. While the property raided belonged to former power grid official Tasheen Awan, authorities confirmed he was not among those apprehended during Thursday’s operation.
