LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has raided two illegal call centres in Lahore, detaining more than three dozen people, allegedly involved in defrauding foreigners, an agency spokesperson said on Sunday.

According to the spokesperson, the raids were conducted in Faisal Town and Johar Town, where dozens of suspects were arrested.

He says the suspects would allegedly use dial-up software to target people abroad with fraudulent calls made in the name of mobile upgrades and telecommunication services.

A large number of computers, laptops and mobile phones were seized during the raids, he says, adding that the seized devices contained dial-up software and data allegedly linked to fraudulent activities. All digital evidence was seized and sealed in accordance with legal requirements, he says.

He says the agency traced the second illegal call centre during an investigation following the first raid. The NCCIA team completed the operation at the second location despite resistance from security guards, he adds.

The owners and facilitators of the illegal call centres would be identified during the course of the investigation, he says.

Several vehicles allegedly purchased with proceeds of crime were also taken into custody during the operation, he adds. A complaint has been forwarded to the NCCIA Lahore police station for registration of cases against the suspects under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), the spokesperson says.

NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi says the operation against illegal call centres was aimed at protecting Pakistan’s digital and financial reputation.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2026