Introduction
In this digital age, while online platforms have turned the world into a global village, they have also given rise to new and dangerous forms of cybercrime. In recent years, Pakistan has seen a significant increase in financial fraud, Ponzi schemes, and online investment scams. One such incident unfolded on July 8, 2025, when the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raided a large international call center in Shahkot, Faisalabad, exposing a massive international scam network.
Overview of the Operation: From Shahkot to the World
Based on a tip-off, the NCCIA launched an operation targeting a call center located on Shangla Hill, Shahkot Road in Shahkot, Faisalabad. This center was allegedly operating under the fake name "Upwork Pakistan" and was part of a highly organized international fraud network. Victims were lured through social media platforms, WhatsApp, and Telegram, and persuaded to invest large sums of money based on false promises of high returns.
Arrests: An International Network Uncovered
A total of 149 individuals were arrested during the raid, including 71 foreign nationals. Their breakdown is as follows:
Nationality Number
Pakistani 78
Chinese 48
Nigerian 8
Filipino 4
Sri Lankan 2
Bangladeshi 6
Myanmar 2
Zimbabwean 1
Total 149
Among those arrested were 18 women, indicating that the network was not only large but also diverse, utilizing various regional, social, and technical capabilities.
Modus Operandi
The group operated using a classic Ponzi scheme model. Victims were first offered small profits to build trust, then encouraged to invest more substantial sums. Several individuals lost millions of rupees. One such example is Muhammad Sajid, who suffered a loss of Rs. 3.138 million (approx. USD 11,000) after being tricked through a fraudulent Telegram channel with thousands of members.
Evidence and Technical Assets Seized
The raid resulted in the recovery of:
Hundreds of computers and servers
Cryptocurrency exchange platforms
Foreign SIM cards
Forged company documents
These findings confirmed that the call center was running a well-organized, tech-savvy, and international cybercrime operation.
Legal Action and Judicial Proceedings
The arrested individuals were presented in court on July 9, 2025. Details are as follows:
Type of Remand Number Duration
Physical Remand (to NCCIA) 87 5 days
Judicial Remand 62 Until July 23, 2025
The NCCIA filed 7 FIRs (First Information Reports), numbered 142–147, under various sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including charges related to bank hacking and investment fraud.
The Role of “Upwork Pakistan”
The name "Upwork Pakistan" appears in several FIRs but has no verifiable presence in mainstream media or business directories. This indicates that it was likely a fake identity used to give the operation a false sense of legitimacy and attract more victims. It served purely as a trust-building front for the scam.
International Implications
The arrest of individuals from multiple countries raises serious concerns on a global scale. This isn't just a localized issue—modern digital platforms have enabled fraudsters from different nations to collaborate. Many times, unsuspecting youth are lured into such networks under the guise of jobs in tech support, content management, or freelance roles.
Cybersecurity Challenges in Pakistan
This incident brings to light several critical cybersecurity questions in Pakistan:
Are existing cyber laws effective and well-implemented?
Is the public sufficiently educated and aware of cyber threats?
Is there international cooperation to tackle such networks?
Solving these problems will require more than just legislation. Public awareness, digital literacy, and modern training of investigative agencies are equally essential.
Conclusion
The NCCIA’s operation in Shahkot marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s fight against cybercrime, but it's just the beginning. To fully dismantle such networks, coordinated policy, international partnerships, and advanced technological capabilities are needed. Furthermore, national-level awareness campaigns and protection strategies for youth and digital users are essential to building long-term cyber resilience.
Sources
This article is based on credible reports from BBC Urdu, Dawn News, Express Tribune, Pakistan Today,
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