Several members of Pakistan’s Parliament have reportedly lost millions of rupees to sophisticated online fraud operations run by cybercriminals posing as legitimate callers.
Lawmakers Targeted by Cyber Scammers
According to reports, Senator Dilawar Khan was defrauded of Rs. 850,000, while Senator Falak Naz Chitrali lost Rs. 500,000 in two separate transactions. Chitrali revealed that the scammers introduced themselves as representatives of a “counseling center” and used highly detailed personal information about her family and children to gain her trust before extracting funds.
The revelations surfaced during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem. Lawmakers expressed concern that parliamentarians had become direct targets of increasingly sophisticated phone-based fraud and data-driven scams.
High-Level Inquiry Demanded
Senator Saifullah Abro told the committee that hackers were demanding payments of Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 550,000 from each victim, using personalized data to enhance credibility. Other members, including Qadir Mandokhail and Falak Naz Chitrali, also confirmed being approached by the fraudsters.
The committee session took a serious turn when allegations of corruption within the National Centre for Cyber Intelligence and Analysis (NCCIA) were raised. Lawmakers called for a detailed briefing from the Director General (DG) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and announced plans for an in-camera session to address concerns regarding the misuse of authority, bribery, and the alleged online sale of Pakistani citizens’ personal data.
Frustration Over Inaction
Members of the Senate Interior Committee voiced frustration that no meaningful action had been taken despite repeated complaints to the NCCIA about cybercrime and public grievances. The committee demanded strict accountability measures and urged the FIA to intensify efforts against digital fraud networks operating across Pakistan.
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