Several members of Pakistan’s Parliament have recently become targets of sophisticated online scams, losing significant amounts of money to cybercriminals posing as legitimate callers. The incidents have raised concerns over the growing threat of online fraud and its impact on high-profile individuals.
Senator Dilawar Khan reported that Rs. 850,000 was taken from his bank account, while Senator Falak Naz Chitrali disclosed that she lost Rs. 500,000 in two separate installments. Chitrali explained that the fraudsters had impersonated representatives of a “counseling center” and tricked her into transferring money by leveraging personal details about her family to appear trustworthy.
These alarming revelations came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, which was chaired by Convener Senator Faisal Saleem. Lawmakers shared that hackers had been specifically targeting parliamentarians, using a combination of deceptive phone calls and personal data to carry out their scams.
Senator Saifullah Abro further added that hackers were demanding payments ranging from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 550,000 from each victim, using convincing tactics and private information to earn their trust. Other senators, including Qadir Mandokhail and Falak Naz Chitrali, were also reportedly deceived by the same group of criminals.
The Senate committee also discussed the issue of alleged corruption within the National Centre for Cyber Intelligence and Analysis (NCCIA). A detailed briefing was requested from the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), who was also asked to address allegations of bribery and the misuse of authority among cybercrime officers. The committee expressed frustration that despite multiple complaints to the NCCIA, no significant action had been taken. Members emphasized the need for stronger measures against cybercriminals and accountability for officials who failed to respond to public grievances.
