GUJRANWALA:
A major corruption scandal has emerged in the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle has filed a case against three of its own officers, along with their accomplices, on charges of corruption, bribery, extortion and abuse of authority.
Among others, three officials have been remanded in custody.
The NCCIA, set up to strengthen enforcement of cyber laws, has come under investigation following allegations that its officers in connivance with private individuals struck deals worth millions of rupees with suspects involved in online fraud cases and released them after receiving illegal payments.
Following intelligence agency reports and a citizen’s complaint, the FIA initiated action and registered an FIR.
According to the FIR, complainant Muzammil Iqbal, a resident of Garden Town, Gujranwala, stated that he had received information that certain FIA Cyber Crime Wing officers were extracting huge sums of money from accused persons with the help of private employees.
He claimed that on February 2, 2025, unidentified men entered his house, introduced themselves as FIA officials, held family members hostage, seized mobile phones and subjected male family members to torture before blindfolding them and locking them in a room.
The complainant said 15 mobile phones, a laptop, a car, cash and ATM cards were taken away.
The family was later moved to the FIA Cyber Crime office, where they were questioned about online business activities and cryptocurrency.
The FIR further states that the victims were forced to pay large amounts of cash, cryptocurrency and money through bank transactions at various times, while additional payments were demanded to avoid legal action.
Some items were later returned, but cash and a mobile phone were not.
Another victim, Salman Raza, claimed that his family was abducted, tortured and a demand of Rs50 million was made.
Muzammil Iqbal claimed that after negotiations involving FIA personnel, a “deal” was struck for Rs30 million, of which Rs3 million in cash and around Rs1.5 million through bank and ATM transactions were paid before their release.
After a preliminary investigation, the FIA registered a case against FIA Cyber Crime Wing personnel Mujahid Ali, Shahroz and Allah Yar and their private accomplices Haji Waqar, Asim Mahmood and Usman Ali under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, Anti-Corruption Laws and the Electronic Crime Prevention Act.
FIA officials said a transparent investigation is underway and those found guilty will be prosecuted while departmental action will also be initiated.
