Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested one suspect and registered a case against several others accused of orchestrating an online fraud scheme that targeted both political figures and private citizens through impersonation and false official claims.
Investigators identified the primary suspect as Muhammad Mazhar, son of Muhammad Hanif. Authorities allege Mazhar contacted members of provincial assemblies and political personalities while falsely claiming that a visiting United Nations delegation was representing the Pakistan Peoples Party. The suspects allegedly told victims that the delegation was transporting cargo requiring urgent tax payments.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused used this fabricated narrative to persuade victims to transfer money into bank accounts under their control. One complainant reported losing Rs468,500 after being deceived by the scheme. Financial records show multiple transactions routed to a Bank Alfalah account held in the name of co-accused Muhammad Javed, including transfers of Rs264,500, Rs100,000, and another Rs100,000.
NCCIA officials stated that the suspects acted “in connivance with each other” and operated as an organized group. The Cyber Crime Circle Rawalpindi arrested Mazhar after tracing the financial trail and confirming the movement of illicit funds into linked accounts.
Authorities noted that the accused repeatedly ignored summons issued via registered mail, SMS, and notices under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prompting formal registration of the case once sufficient incriminating evidence was established.
The case has been registered under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, along with Sections 419, 420, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which address impersonation, cheating, and abetment. Further investigation is ongoing under the supervision of Sub-Inspector Mehboob Elahi.
