The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested 12 suspects allegedly involved in hacking embassy data and defrauding visa applicants.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, NCCIA Director Ali Waseem said the arrested individuals had gained access to data of the embassies of Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy.
The suspects allegedly hacked the contact numbers of the embassies and diverted them to their own numbers, allowing them to deceive people seeking visas and appointments.
According to Ali Waseem, the NCCIA recovered fake appointment letters, mobile phones and other important digital evidence during the operation.
He said the investigation was launched after complaints and communication from various embassies, which eventually led authorities to trace the group.
The NCCIA director said the group had been active since 2019 and targeted individuals seeking visa extensions, appointments and other diplomatic services for financial fraud.
The suspects had also created fake websites and environments resembling embassy systems so that citizens could not easily distinguish between genuine and fraudulent platforms.
He added that efforts were underway to arrest more members of the group, while investigations were also being conducted into the alleged use of a hacking application called “Tycoon Two FA”.
Ali Waseem further said that a joint task force comprising relevant institutions and stakeholders was being established to monitor and investigate call centres and help curb the growing incidents of cyber fraud.
