Over 60 held in illegal call centre raid

RAWALPINDI:

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Rawalpindi Circle has arrested 61 suspects allegedly involved in an illegal foreign loan recovery scheme during a crackdown on illegal call centres.

According to officials, the NCCIA received confidential information that an illegal call centre was operating in Commercial Market, Satellite Town, where foreign citizens were allegedly being threatened and harassed in the name of recovering loans.

Acting on the information, the NCCIA formed a team and raided the call centre, arresting 61 suspects on the spot. Officials said 71 mobile phones and 155 laptops were recovered from their possession.

All digital devices and data have been seized for forensic analysis, they added.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly posed as fake recovery agents and extorted money from foreign citizens by threatening them. Officials said such activities not only caused severe mental distress to victims but also harmed the country's reputation.

A case has been registered against the suspects, while further investigation and technical analysis are under way. NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said illegal call centres posed a serious threat to the country's reputation and public trust.