Naqvi Urges Online Caution; 600 Arrested in Cyber Cases

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has vowed to strengthen Pakistan’s cybercrime investigation capacity and urged the public to stay careful about online scams. He was speaking in Lahore on Friday, October 23.

Public Advice

• Do not transfer money to anyone making suspicious demands, especially when the caller’s identity cannot be verified. Scammers use different tactics, including pretending to be ill to win sympathy.

• Be careful about sharing personal photographs with others online, as such images are increasingly misused for blackmail.

• Do not share passwords.

• He called for a public awareness campaign so people can recognise scams and protect themselves.

Action and Capacity

Naqvi said around 600 people had been arrested over the preceding 10 to 12 days in connection with fake call centre operations, and cited the arrest of a suspect wanted by the FIA and another in a child pornography case as examples of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) work. He praised the agency’s performance and pledged full support. Work is under way to determine how many police stations the NCCIA needs and how to expand its workforce, and he will discuss the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to improve its capacity.

International Cooperation

He said the government is holding daily discussions with foreign embassies and other countries to strengthen cooperation against cybercrime, particularly cases involving international networks.