Online fraud complaints on the rise

With cases of online fraud on the rise with the increase in the use of information technology, the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cybercrime Wing is receiving 15 to 20 complaints from people robbed of millions of rupees every day.

In most recent cases, the fraudsters contacted the victims using 'call masking'. The name of the FBR, SBP, a bank or other institution appears on the mobile phone screen of the call recipient. The caller said suspicious transactions had been made from the account of the victim.

The callers have information about the bank branch, account and transactions, date of birth and educational qualification of the targets. As a result, even educated people share their bank information and in a few minutes, millions of rupees are transferred from their accounts.

According to FIA officials, the fraudsters have got thousands of SIMs of various mobile phone companies from fake biometric verification machines and stolen identity card data.

Using the SIMs, people are deprived of millions of rupees by offering online banking, ATM card, lucky draw schemes, income support programmes and prizes. The FIA Cybercrime Wing Lahore recently arrested 16 people involved in the fraud and seized hundreds of SIMs and biometric machines from them.

However, the wing is still receiving 15 to 20 complaints daily regarding withdrawal of millions of rupees from their bank accounts.

According one of the complainants, Dr Waheed, he also received a call with FBR displayed on the screen. He was given information which alarmed him and he gave his PIN code, after which Rs1.2 million was transferred from his account.

Another complainant, Khan Mohammad, revealed that his mobile phone SIM was locked by submitting a fake death certificate and a duplicate SIM of his number was issued. Information related to his bank was received on the SIM and Rs2.1 million was withdrawn.

According to Gulberg's businessman Moin, he was told by a caller claiming yo be from the State Bank that his shipment would be stopped if he did not share the required information. He said he had lost Rs2.7 million in the scam.

According to the record of FIA Cybercrime Wing, it is carrying out 5,602 inquiries in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.

When Additional Director Cyber Crime Wing Lahore Abu Zar Sabteen was contacted in this regard, he said that in view of the details obtained from the arrested accused, different teams have been formed to take action against them in different cities including Lahore. It's a huge network and it involves a lot of people.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2020.