Abbottabad: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Hazara Circle, has traced and arrested a gang allegedly involved in an online financial fraud amounting to Rs180 million. The suspects allegedly defrauded a young resident of Abbottabad by posing as a German woman on Instagram and later luring him into a business investment deal.
Five members of the gang have been arrested, while Rs 55 million has reportedly been recovered from their possession.
Addressing a press conference, NCCIA Hazara Circle Deputy Director Abdul Wahab, along with Inspector Muhammad Shakir, Investigation Officer Muhammad Raza and Sub-Inspector Muhammad Nauman, said significant progress had been made in a major online financial fraud case in Abbottabad.
He said the suspects allegedly posed as a German woman and contacted Malik Haider Manzoor, a resident of Havelian, through Instagram. They allegedly persuaded him to invest in a business and subsequently defrauded him of Rs180 million.
Following the complaint, the NCCIA registered a case and launched an investigation.
During the course of the investigation, the involvement of around 25 suspects was revealed. The suspects are reportedly based in Abbottabad and Islamabad. Five of them have so far been arrested, and Rs 55 million has been recovered.
According to Deputy Director Wahab Ahmed and Inspector Shakir, the suspects contacted victims through Instagram while posing as women and allegedly collected money by offering fraudulent business investment opportunities.
NCCIA officials said all relevant bank records had been obtained in connection with the case, while legal proceedings against the arrested suspects were under way.
The Deputy Director further disclosed that around 5,000 applications relating to various cybercrimes had been received by the Hazara Circle during 2026. He said action had also been taken against individuals involved in digital crimes, including the harassment of women. He said a total of Rs40 million had been recovered in various cases.
Wahab Ahmed said all staff members were working diligently to ensure prompt action on public complaints and provide relief to citizens. He added that NCCIA officers were performing their duties with dedication and responsibility in all cybercrime cases.
He said prevention of digital crimes, protection of citizens and provision of relief to victims remained the top priorities of the agency.
The complainant, Malik Haider Manzoor, said the NCCIA’s action had provided him with justice.