NCCIA shuts 12 foreign call centres, arrests 6 foreigners

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched the ‘Operation Grey’, a nationwide campaign targeting illegal foreign call centres operating in violation of Pakistani laws.

The agency revealed that it had identified 93 such centres involved in financial fraud, illegal remittances handling, and the operation of unregistered international call centres using voice-over IP (VoIP) technology.

As part of the operation, the NCCIA teams have conducted a series of raids across the country. During the latest crackdown, 12 unlicensed foreign call centres were shut down. Six foreign nationals and three Pakistani accomplices have been arrested, while four other unauthorised centres have been sealed.

The NCCIA officials said the operations were being carried out in collaboration with the law-enforcement agencies and intelligence units to curb illegal financial activities and digital fraud. The crackdown follows growing concerns over the involvement of foreign individuals and entities in cybercrime networks operating from within Pakistan.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson, illegal call centres exploit VoIP platforms to bypass legal telecom channels, posing serious threats to national data security and enabling crimes such as identity theft and financial scams. The agency is currently investigating the arrested suspects and reviewing the data and equipment seized during the raids. The NCCIA reiterated its commitment to eradicating illegal digital operations and urged citizens to report any suspicious activities through its official website and helpline.