Millions lost to illegal gateway exchanges

FIA, PTA bust dozens of illegal gateway exchanges that have cost the national exchequer Rs162.5 million.

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), with help from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has busted dozens of illegal gateway exchanges that have cost the national exchequer Rs162.5 million, The Express Tribune learnt.

These facts came to light in a report prepared by the National Response Centre for Cyber Crimes (NR-3C) of the Punjab FIA chapter, submitted to Punjab FIA director Zafar Ahmad Qureshi.

According to the report, the FIA conducted two raids against international illegal gateway exchanges and unearthed nine international illegal gateways exchanges running under the cover of M/s Bukhari General Trading in Fatima Manzil, Beedon Road and Sehgal General Trading opposite Packages Factory, Walton Road.

The companies were using five internet connections for illegal exchanges and the illegal termination of international voice traffic bypassing legal gateways. The equipment recovered in these raids worth is estimated to be worth Rs200 million.

Qureshi, the FIA Punjab director, told The Express Tribune that the accused involved have been identified and efforts are being made to arrest them as soon as possible.

Further raids are being planned against such illegal setups and internet service providers, he said. He added that in only five months more than 18 illegal gateway exchanges have been busted.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2011.