Phishing scams are emerging as a serious cyber threat in Pakistan, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive people. These fraudsters often impersonate trusted institutions like banks, tricking individuals into handing over sensitive personal and financial information. The FIA reported a significant rise in phishing cases last year, revealing how widespread this digital menace has become.
What makes these scams so dangerous is their ability to mimic legitimate messages almost perfectly, making it hard for many to distinguish between real and fake communication. With digital banking and online services becoming the norm, unsuspecting victims are often caught off-guard, leading to financial losses that are hard to recover.
Phishing scams in Pakistan take various forms, including fake emails, SMS (smishing), and phone calls (vishing). According to the FIA, phishing accounts for over 60% of the 100,000 cybercrime complaints they received in 2023. A report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) found that ‘smishing’ makes up 70% of mobile-related fraud cases, with an estimated 50 million rupees lost to such scams last year. These attacks often target bank customers, with many victims unknowingly providing sensitive information to cybercriminals.
Pakistan urgently needs stronger cybersecurity measures and public awareness campaigns to combat this growing issue. Empowering people with the knowledge to recognise phishing attempts could save them from falling prey to these scams and protect their finances from further harm.
Ahmed Bholacha
Karachi
