By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested a 12-member cybercrime network in Lahore accused of hacking the communication systems and digital data of several foreign embassies, marking one of Pakistan’s largest crackdowns against organised cyber fraud in recent years.
Addressing a press conference, NCCIA Punjab Director Ali Waseem said the suspects were involved in sophisticated cyber operations targeting diplomatic missions, including the embassies of Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy, as well as Pakistani and foreign citizens seeking consular services.
According to the agency, the group allegedly hacked official contact numbers associated with foreign embassies and diverted incoming calls to numbers under their control. Investigators believe the suspects used the illegally obtained access to deceive visa applicants and members of the public by impersonating embassy officials.
During raids carried out in Lahore, investigators recovered fake appointment letters, multiple mobile phones, computer equipment and digital evidence believed to have been used in the illegal operation. Officials said forensic analysis of the seized devices is continuing to determine the full scale of the cyber network.
The NCCIA stated that the group had been operating since 2019 and had developed fake online platforms closely resembling official embassy websites. These counterfeit websites allegedly misled visa applicants and individuals seeking immigration or consular appointments, enabling the suspects to collect personal information and financial payments through fraudulent means.
Officials said the network employed individuals with expertise in several foreign languages to communicate with victims from different countries and make the fraudulent operations appear authentic. Investigators believe this multilingual capability allowed the suspects to expand their activities beyond Pakistan.
Among the items recovered during the operation was a Singapore Police uniform, which investigators believe may have been intended to support online impersonation or fraudulent activities targeting foreign nationals. Authorities are examining the evidence to determine how it was used by the suspects.
The NCCIA also revealed that another cybercrime network was dismantled during a separate operation involving a hacking application identified as Tycoon 2FA. According to investigators, the malicious application had reportedly been sold approximately 66,000 times and was designed to compromise mobile devices after users clicked on infected links.
Officials explained that once activated, the software enabled cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access to victims’ mobile phones, potentially exposing sensitive personal information, financial accounts and private communications.
The agency disclosed that authorities in Singapore had contacted Pakistani officials regarding cyber activities linked to the application, prompting increased cooperation between international law enforcement agencies during the investigation.
Ali Waseem said investigations are continuing to identify additional members of both criminal networks. Law enforcement agencies have launched further raids to arrest suspected accomplices believed to be operating in other cities.
The NCCIA also announced plans to establish a joint task force involving multiple government departments and relevant institutions to combat fake call centres and organised cyber fraud. Officials believe stronger coordination among regulatory authorities, telecommunications companies and law enforcement agencies will improve Pakistan’s ability to detect and prevent cybercrime.
Cybersecurity experts have welcomed the operation, saying online fraud targeting visa applicants and embassy services has increased in recent years due to growing reliance on digital communication. They advised citizens to verify official embassy contact details through government websites and avoid responding to unsolicited calls, emails or social media messages requesting payments or personal information.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant against fake websites and fraudulent appointment offers, warning that cybercriminals frequently exploit public demand for visas, overseas employment and immigration services.
The NCCIA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s cyber security framework and taking strict legal action against individuals involved in digital fraud, identity theft and hacking activities. Officials said investigations remain ongoing, and additional arrests are expected as evidence recovered during the operation is analysed.
