NCCIA Arrests 26 in Two Operations Against Honey-Trap and Fraud Call Centres
By Muhammad Shahzad Lahore Pakistan LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore Zone arrested 26 people, including 17 women and nine men, in two separate operations targeting alleged honey-trap and fraudulent call centre activities on Thursday. Additional Director NCCIA Lahore Zone Atif Ameer said that in the first operation, 17 women allegedly involved…
By Muhammad Shahzad Lahore Pakistan
LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore Zone arrested 26 people, including 17 women and nine men, in two separate operations targeting alleged honey-trap and fraudulent call centre activities on Thursday.
Additional Director NCCIA Lahore Zone Atif Ameer said that in the first operation, 17 women allegedly involved in operating a honey-trap call centre were arrested.
According to Atif Ameer, the suspects allegedly contacted men through various online platforms, developed relationships through prolonged conversations and later persuaded them to participate in video calls. The suspects allegedly used inappropriate conversations and video interactions to keep victims engaged before obtaining online gifts and other financial benefits from them.
He said 35 mobile phones and two laptops were recovered from the suspects, while a case (No. 234/26) was registered in connection with the operation.
In the second operation, the NCCIA raided a call centre in Allama Iqbal Town, where UK citizens were allegedly targeted through fraudulent offers involving mobile phone replacements and other communication services.
The suspects allegedly contacted foreign citizens, offered them mobile phones and various packages, and assured them that the devices would be delivered after payment. However, after receiving money, they allegedly failed to provide the phones or refund the payments, instead giving victims new delivery dates.
Nine men were arrested during the operation, while 10 mobile phones and five laptops were recovered from their possession.
Further investigation into the arrested suspects and forensic examination of the recovered mobile phones and laptops were under way, Atif Ameer added.
