ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Rawalpindi Circle, has busted an illegal call centre involved in a foreign loan recovery scam, arrested 61 people and recovered 71 mobile phones and 155 laptops.

The NCCIA Rawalpindi Circle received information through secret sources that an illegal call centre was operating in Commer­cial Market, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, where foreign nationals were allegedly being intimidated and harassed in the name of recovery of illegal loans.

This is the second such raid in the last 24 hours. A day earlier, the NCCIA said it had arrested more than 70 people in two raids on two call centres in Karachi’s PECHS neighbourhood for allegedly targeting citizens of the US through fraudulent schemes involving offers for new credit cards and low-interest financial services.

Agency seizes 155 laptops, 71 mobile phones in Rawalpindi raid

In Rawalpindi, acting swiftly on the information, a team was constituted and a raid was conducted. During the operation, 61 suspects were arrested red-handed. As many as 71 mobile phones and 155 laptops were recovered from their possession.

All digital devices and data were seized for forensic analysis.

According to the initial investigation, the suspects, posing as fake recovery agents, extorted money by threatening foreign nationals. According to the NCCIA, the activity not only caused severe mental distress to the victims but also affected the country’s reputation.

A case was registered against the suspects, and further investigation and technical analysis are underway.

Meanwhile, NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said illegal call centres were a major threat to the country’s reputation and public trust.

“NCCIA is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against cybercrime. Indiscriminate and vigorous operations against illegal call centres and elements involved in cyber fraud will continue,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026