Karachi raid uncovers $60 million fake crypto/forex investment operation; 34 arrested
Pakistan’s NCCIA and provincial authorities raided multiple sites in Karachi, arresting 34 suspects including 15 foreign nationals and seizing computers, phones and thousands of SIMs. Officials say the organised online investment network used fake crypto and forex platforms and Telegram grooming groups to swindle roughly $60 million; cross‑border probes continue.
Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), working with provincial law enforcement, conducted coordinated raids in Karachi that dismantled an organised online investment fraud operation alleged to have stolen around $60 million. Authorities arrested 34 individuals, including 15 foreign nationals, and seized 37 computers, 40 mobile phones and more than 10,000 international SIM cards from multiple sites. Investigators say the syndicate created bogus crypto and forex trading platforms, maintained Telegram groups for account grooming and used complex call and online infrastructures to convince victims to deposit funds that were then laundered across jurisdictions. Officials described the case as transnational in scope and said ongoing investigations will involve cross‑border follow‑ups and cooperation with foreign law enforcement to trace funds, identify higher‑level operators and freeze illicit proceeds. The seizure of equipment and SIMs is expected to aid in mapping networks, communications and money flows, while authorities urged the public to be wary of unsolicited investment pitches and to verify platform credentials before transacting.