Syed Kaleem Shah:Â
QUETTA – The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Quetta is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against social media financial fraud, blackmailing, and character assassination, Additional Director Khalid Baqi announced during an awareness session at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan (CCIQ).
​Addressing local business leaders, Baqi revealed that most organized cybercrime gangs carrying out financial scams via mobile calls, Facebook, and WhatsApp originate from South Punjab and the Kacha (riverine) areas. He noted that none of the suspects named in the agency’s 158 registered cases belong to Balochistan.
​Rising Threat to the Business Community
​During the session, CCIQ President Ahmad Gul Kakar, Senior Vice President Mirza Khan Khilji, and Vice President Jangian Dashti voiced serious concerns over online banking, EasyPaisa, and JazzCash scams that have cost the local business community millions of rupees.
​”The business community is facing severe financial losses due to fake social media accounts, blackmailing, and online fraud,” said CCIQ President Ahmad Gul Kakar. “Beyond financial damage, fake news and baseless accusations on social media are tarnishing the reputations of citizens and business owners alike.”
​To combat this trend, chamber officials proposed forming a joint task force comprising representatives from the CCIQ, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the NCCIA to streamline complaint handling and speed up investigations.
​OTP Scams and Telecom Franchise Crackdown
​Baqi agreed to the joint team proposal and urged citizens to exercise strict caution regarding personal data security, particularly sensitive verification codes.
