Pakistan’s cybercrime agency has arrested 26 people in two raids on call centres in Lahore. The NCCIA Lahore Zone detained 17 women and nine men in two separate operations on Thursday.
One raid targeted an alleged online honey trap network. The other hit a call centre accused of defrauding people abroad. Both cases are now registered, and the suspects remain under investigation.
NCCIA Fraud Raids
According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the first raid led to the arrest of 17 women accused of running an online honey trap network. Officials seized 35 mobile phones and two laptops during that raid.
In a second operation, the agency raided a call centre in Allama Iqbal Town that was allegedly targeting UK nationals with fake offers about mobile phone replacements and communication services. Nine men were arrested, and 10 mobile phones and five laptops were seized.
How the honey trap allegedly worked
Investigators say the suspects approached men on digital platforms, built relationships through long conversations, then pulled them into video calls. The group allegedly used inappropriate conversations and video interactions to keep victims engaged, then extorted online gifts and other financial benefits. Daily Times reports that officials also accused the women of blackmailing victims through video calls.
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How the second call centre allegedly worked
Victims were asked to pay for phones and communication packages but never received them. They were allegedly given excuses and repeatedly revised delivery dates.
Online Scam Crackdown
These raids show how online scams are changing. A honey trap relies on emotional pressure and embarrassment, which makes victims less likely to report it. Fake sales calls to foreign customers hurt Pakistan’s reputation abroad.
The pace of enforcement is also notable. Earlier this week, the NCCIA arrested 39 people at an alleged illegal call centre operating under the cover of a medical billing service. The agency had also recently raided suspected call centres in Johar Town and Faisal Town.
Official Statements
NCCIA officials said the agency will continue its action under a zero-tolerance policy against cybercrime, blackmail and honey traps. The investigation is being supervised by Lahore Zone Additional Director Atif Ameer.
What Happens Next
Officials are interrogating the suspects and conducting forensic examinations of the seized devices. The analysis should reveal how the suspects allegedly carried out the schemes and how many victims they affected. The charges are allegations at this stage. No court has found any of the suspects guilty.
How to Protect Yourself Online
- Be careful with new contacts who quickly move to video calls.
- Never send money or gifts to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Don’t pay in advance for phones or packages from unsolicited callers.
- Report blackmail to the NCCIA instead of paying. Paying usually leads to more demands.
Two raids, 26 arrests and dozens of seized devices show that Pakistan’s cybercrime unit is pressing hard on call centre fraud. The forensic results will show how large these networks really were.
