The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has conducted a massive operation, arresting an eight-member group involved in financial scams in Islamabad’s Khanna Pul area.

According to a spokesperson for the NCCIA, the individuals would impersonate relatives or friends living abroad and deceive victims by claiming there was a medical emergency to extort funds.

An agency spokesperson said that the suspects were alleged to have used fake identities to defraud a citizen out of Rs1.5 million, which was subsequently transferred to the bank account of the main suspect.

They said that those arrested include Muhammad Salman, Mohsin Jamil, Nazakat Ali, Mehtab Ali, Muhammad Shah Nawaz, Nasir Ali, Abid Hussain and Fahad Jabbar.

Reports said that the suspects, originally from Bahawalpur, had also opened bank accounts in names of gullible individuals, retained the checkbooks and utilised said accounts for fraudulent activities.

Additionally, it was reported that the suspects had established bank accounts in Bahawalpur and surrounding areas. The scammers would travel to Islamabad to withdraw the stolen funds and were apprehended while attempting to withdraw money.

Cases have been registered against the accused, and action has been taken under various provisions, including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).