LAHORE:National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore Zone on Tuesday launched an investigation into an alleged online scam involving the sale of more than five million counterfeit US postage stamps worth approximately Rs 35 billion. According to a spokesperson for the NCCIA, suspect Faheem Akram, who was wanted in the case, allegedly operated a website, LabelsBank.com, from August 2023 to September 2026 to sell fake stamps online. The stamps were allegedly sold at $2 each. Investigators found that 16 bank accounts were allegedly used for financial transactions, including seven accounts belonging to the suspect, five to his brother, two to his wife, and one each to his sister and maternal aunt.
An FIR No. 246/2026 had been registered in the case, spokesperson said. He added that eight special teams were formed to investigate the case across Punjab, Islamabad and Sindh. The teams conducted raids at 35 locations and questioned 47 people, while investigators analysed 122 call data records, 50 IMEI tracking reports, and audio and video recordings from 120 cameras with the assistance of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence. A 10-day locator operation was also conducted to trace the suspect, the investigation revealed. The case was being investigated under the supervision of NCCIA Additional Director Lahore Zone Atif Ameer, with investigators examining the alleged sale of counterfeit stamps, financial transactions and the possible involvement of other members of the network.