154 Arrested in Raids on Illegal Call Centers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Authorities have arrested 154 individuals, including several women, during coordinated raids on illegal call centers operating in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, aimed to dismantle networks involved in fraudulent activities that have reportedly swindled millions from unsuspecting victims.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), these illegal call centers were operating without licenses and were implicated in various scams, including identity theft and financial fraud. Officials stated that the raids were part of a broader initiative to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from online fraud. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens and will take stringent actions against those exploiting technology for illegal gains,” a PTA spokesperson said.

The crackdown on illegal call centers highlights the growing concern over cybercrime in Pakistan, where such operations have proliferated due to lax enforcement and the rapid expansion of digital communication. The arrests are expected to send a strong message to other potential offenders and may lead to increased scrutiny of telecommunication practices across the country.

Following these arrests, authorities plan to conduct further investigations into the networks behind these illegal operations. The PTA has urged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to call centers, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in combating cybercrime.