Arabian Sea Raid Nets Narcotics, Liquor Exceeding Rs1 Billion

An Islamabad court has remanded five foreign nationals to two-day custody for allegedly running an illegal call centre in the G-10 sector, as part of a crackdown by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The operation, linked to online scams and financial fraud, has raised concerns about unchecked cybercrime in Pakistan’s capital. This article delves into the case and its broader implications for national security.

On July 14, 2025, the NCCIA raided a call centre in G-10 Markaz, Islamabad, arresting five foreigners and detaining over 60 Pakistani employees, according to a press release cited by Dawn. The suspects, presented before Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah, were accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scam network using illegal websites to defraud victims. The prosecutor told the court, “Further interrogation is necessary to uncover the full scope of this organized network,” securing a two-day physical remand until July 16. The First Information Report (FIR) revealed the gang used AI-generated photos and fake personas on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to lure vulnerable individuals into fraudulent schemes, extorting money through impersonation.

The case underscores Pakistan’s growing battle against cybercrime, with the NCCIA intensifying efforts following similar raids in Faisalabad and Karachi, where 87 and 18 suspects were detained, respectively. The involvement of foreigners has sparked debate, with journalist Mariana Baabar questioning their undisclosed identities, asking, “Who are they? Chinese?” on X, reflecting public curiosity and concern. The lack of transparency fuels suspicions about the government’s handling of such cases, especially as equipment used in the scam was seized, yet the accused provided no legal justification for their activities.

This incident exposes vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s cybersecurity framework, raising questions about oversight and the ease with which foreign operatives can exploit local resources. As the NCCIA vows further action against those aiding such operations, the case highlights the need for robust measures to protect national interests and public trust, particularly as cyber threats grow in sophistication and scale.