Faisalabad Call Centre Raid Uncovers Ponzi Scheme
The arrested individuals, including foreigners, are suspected of deceiving people through online scams and Ponzi schemes, with the agency registering seven cases against them for fraud and deception. The operation is a significant blow to cybercrime in the region, and authorities are hopeful that it will lead to a reduction in such crimes.
A coordinated operation between the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and law enforcement agencies in Faisalabad resulted in the arrest of 149 individuals suspected of running a Ponzi scheme from an illegal call centre in Shangla Hill, owned by a former FESCO board chairman.
The raid, which was conducted in coordination with a law-enforcement agency, led to the arrest of 78 Pakistanis and 73 foreigners, including 48 Chinese nationals. Seven cases have been registered against the accused, with Malik Tahseen Awan being the prime suspect. Awan, who managed to escape during the raid, has been booked in seven FIRs by the agency and has been placed on the Provisional National Identification List to prevent his escape.
Faisalabad Special Court Judge Malik Muhammad Ashfaq has allowed a five-day physical remand of 87 suspects, including 18 women, allegedly involved in online scams and Ponzi schemes. The court also sent 62 suspects to district jail on 14-day judicial remand. The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency is continuing its efforts to apprehend Awan, who is believed to be a key figure in the Ponzi scheme.
The raid and subsequent arrests highlight the growing concern of cybercrime and online scams in Pakistan, and the need for increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency's efforts to crack down on illegal call centres and Ponzi schemes are a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that this will lead to a reduction in such crimes in the future.