For the average Pakistani, a single smartphone click has now become a high risk that could result in their entire life savings vanishing in milliseconds. According to a senior official at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, 35% increase in cybercrime cases were reported in the country in 2025. As digital transactions become the norm, our most economically vulnerable citizens are being targeted through fake job and investment scams.
According to Global Anti-Scam Alliance and Feedzai report, Pakistan loses approximately $9.3 billion annually to these digital frauds, which is a total 2.5% of its GDP. While FIA is working hard, our current legal frameworks remain too weak to ensure high recovery rates. We can learn from countries like Singapore which has implemented strict Bank Liability Frameworks that force financial institutions to take more responsibility for fraudulent transfers.
To combat this menace, the government must move beyond simple awareness campaigns. We need mandatory AI-powered scam detection across all banking apps and a centralised verifying portal for all online job postings. Without urgent policy intervention and institutional strength, the Digital Pakistan dream will be ruined by a lack of public trust.
Tayyiba Afzal
Lahore
