KARACHI:
With the rapid growth of technology, online shopping has become a daily habit for many in Pakistan. However, this convenience has also led to a sharp rise in online scams, putting both businesses and ordinary citizens in extreme danger.
According to a recent study by Visa, 91% of Pakistani consumers are at risk of falling victim to online fraud. In 2024 alone, over 1,500 cases of online fraud were reported in Multan. These included 705 online shopping scams, 605 bank account hacks and 151 frauds linked to the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). These numbers highlight how widespread and serious the problem has become. Moreover, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority reported over 17,000 cybercrime complaints in 2024 — a shocking 40% increase from previous years. Even more alarming is the fact that Pakistani citizens lost around Rs10 billion to online scams in the same year.
To tackle this, the authorities need to enforce stricter cyber laws and ensure that fraudsters are held accountable. At the same time, stronger awareness campaigns are essential to help people understand how to stay safe online.
Nida M Azeem
Pidrak
