More than 227,000 cyber fraud complaints were registered with the NCCIA over three years, with lawmakers also among those targeted.
ISLAMABAD: More than 227,000 Pakistanis have reported losing a combined Rs8.32 billion to cyber fraud over the past three years, according to data compiled by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The data shows that 227,757 complaints of cyber fraud were registered during the period. Reported cases stood at 83,080 in 2024, followed by 76,646 complaints in 2025 and 68,031 cases in the following year.
The figures highlight the continuing financial impact of digital scams across Pakistan, with criminals using various methods to deceive victims and obtain money or sensitive information.
Serving and former lawmakers have also been among those targeted. According to available records, eight parliamentarians were affected, while documented financial losses involving six of them amounted to Rs2.749 million.
Former MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza reported losing Rs490,000, while Senator Falak Naz Chitrali was defrauded of Rs485,000. Senator Bilal Ahmed Mandokhail reported a loss of Rs403,500.
Senator Niaz Ahmed lost Rs30,000, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa MPA Shehla Bano reported losing Rs370,800. A former MPA was also defrauded of Rs970,000.
The NCCIA recovered money in three of the cases involving Senators Falak Naz Chitrali, Bilal Ahmed Mandokhail and Niaz Ahmed.
More than Rs918,000 was recovered from the Rs2.749 million collectively lost by the six lawmakers whose cases were detailed in the records.
Other parliamentarians, including PML-N Senator Nasir Butt and Vehari MNA Syed Sajid Mehdi, have also reportedly fallen victim to cyber fraud.
Raja Khurram Nawaz, chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the Ministry of Interior, has said that he frequently receives suspicious and fraudulent calls.
NCCIA officials said WhatsApp account hacking and fraudulent calls were among the most common methods used by scammers. Criminals reportedly impersonate bank officials and representatives of other institutions to trick victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
Officials believe the actual scale of cyber fraud is considerably higher than the reported figures.
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