ABBOTTABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Hazara Circle, has arrested five suspects allegedly involved in an online financial fraud worth Rs18 million, officials said.
According to NCCIA officials, the suspects allegedly contacted a young man from Havelian through Instagram while posing as a German woman and later persuaded him to invest money in a purported business venture.
The complainant, Malik Haider Manzoor, allegedly lost Rs18 million in the scheme. Following a complaint, the cybercrime authorities registered a case and launched an investigation.
Deputy Director NCCIA Hazara Circle Abdul Wahab, speaking at a press conference alongside Inspector Muhammad Shakir, Investigation Officer Muhammad Raza and Sub-Inspector Muhammad Numan, said investigators had identified 25 suspects allegedly linked to the fraud. The suspects are reportedly from Abbottabad and Islamabad.
Five suspects have so far been arrested, while Rs5.5 million has been recovered, according to the officials. Authorities have also obtained relevant bank records as part of the investigation.
Officials said the suspects allegedly used fake social media identities to establish contact with potential victims and then encouraged them to invest money in purported business opportunities.
The NCCIA said legal proceedings against the arrested suspects are underway and further investigation is continuing.
According to the deputy director, around 5,000 complaints involving different types of cybercrime were received in the Hazara Circle during 2026. Officials said the agency has also taken action in cases involving online harassment and other digital crimes, with approximately Rs40 million recovered across various cases.
NCCIA officials said preventing digital crime, protecting citizens and providing assistance to victims remain among the agency’s priorities.
The complainant said he received relief through the action taken by the NCCIA.
The allegations described above remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.