FIA crackdown yields 17 arrests

Agency also blocks 30 accounts during nationwide raids against online loan apps

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Authority (FIA)’s cybercrime wing has rounded up 17 suspects besides blocking 30 accounts during nationwide raids. The development came a week after a 42-year-old Rawalpindi citizen took his own life after being blackmailed by one of the online predatory loan apps.

According to the FIA, it has initiated 74 inquiries against online loan app companies across the country while three first information reports (FIRs) have also been registered against those involved in the illegal practice.

Similarly, 17 suspects have been apprehended and 30 accounts have been blocked while the agency’s cybercrime wing has also sealed five offices of the companies involved in such illegal activities.

Sources said after the incident of suicide by the debt-ridden man in the garrison city was reported, FIA Director General Mohsin Butt issued orders to all the field units of the cybercrime wing to gear up a crackdown against lending companies/individuals through unregistered/illegal mobile applications.

The FIA officials have appealed to citizens to check the website of the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to verify whether the company/app is licensed or not.

Victims of loan apps have also been told to contact the FIA’s Cybercrime Reporting Centres in 15 cities across Pakistan through the helpline.

Crackdown initiated

On the other hand, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Aminul Haque has said that the government has initiated a crackdown against illegal loan providers.

In a statement, Haque said: “Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman directed immediately to take swift action on the illegal loan applications.”

“Under the orders issued, 43 loan applications had already been blocked,” the minister said. “The targeted companies, operating within the lending industry, were registered with the SECP,” he added.

‘Mafia using social media’

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Haque shed light on the involvement of mafia groups operating through social media platforms, particularly Facebook.

These unscrupulous entities have resorted to blackmailing innocent individuals, exploiting their financial vulnerabilities.

To raise awareness and safeguard the public, a comprehensive public awareness campaign has been launched.

The citizens are urged to report any suspicious loan applications or incidents involving the loan mafia groups to the PTA, the FIA’s cybercrime wing, or their local police stations.

The collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies aimed to address the increasing cybercrime wave in the country.

To ensure effective coordination, the minister has direct contact with the FIA DG, providing regular briefings on the progress of the operation.

Proactive measures

He emphasised the need for proactive measures, rather than waiting for complaints to accumulate, against those involved in fraudulent loan schemes.

He stressed the importance of protecting the public from financial exploitation and curbing such illegal practices within the lending industry.

The minister condemned the tactics employed by loan mafia groups, including threats of violence, blackmail, and misuse of personal data.

He reaffirmed that these actions were in clear violation of the law and must be halted immediately.

Exercise caution

The citizens are advised to exercise caution when engaging in online financial transactions and refrain from sharing personal information with unknown parties.

The ministry has noted the prevalence of online posts promoting money-making schemes, urging individuals not to respond to such advertisements and avoid sharing sensitive data or money.

The government's crackdown aims to safeguard the interests of the public and maintain a secure online environment for all citizens.

As the operation progresses, the authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to bring the culprits to justice and protect the citizens from falling victim to fraudulent loan schemes.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM THE APP

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2023.