KARACHI, SINDH: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) detained more than 30 suspects in a call centre raid near Metropole on Wednesday over alleged fraud targeting foreign citizens, officials said.
Investigators said the suspects posed as representatives of US banks to obtain sensitive financial information from people abroad. They allegedly used those details to transfer money from victims’ bank cards into accounts they controlled. NCCIA described the premises as an illegally operated call centre linked to an international fraud network.
Officers seized mobile phones, laptops, other digital devices, bank cards and data from the premises. Officials did not provide a breakdown of the items recovered.
Investigators are questioning the detainees to identify other people allegedly involved in the network and establish the extent of its operations.
In a separate operation on October 4, NCCIA detained dozens of suspects during raids in Lahore’s Faisal Town and Johar Town allegedly targeted foreign nationals.
Read: Karachi Call Centre Raid: NCCIA Arrests 27 in Fraud Case
An agency spokesperson accused the Lahore suspects of using dialling software to defraud people overseas. Teams recovered computers, laptops and mobile phones during the searches. According to officials, the devices contained software and data linked to the suspected fraud.
Officers traced a second call centre after raiding the first location. Security personnel resisted the team at the second premises, but officers completed the operation. NCCIA is investigating the alleged network and seeking additional suspects.
During the Lahore operation, officers seized several vehicles that the agency alleges the suspects bought with proceeds from criminal activities.
