FIA Says ‘Missing’ NCCIA Officer Was Hiding to Escape Inquiry

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has revealed that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) officer earlier reported missing had actually gone into hiding to evade an internal inquiry, leading to his formal arrest in a corruption and abuse of authority case.

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Deputy Director Muhammad Usman has been resolved after FIA Lahore confirmed that the NCCIA officer was taken into custody during a corruption probe. Officials said he voluntarily went underground before investigators moved in.

In a written statement, Usman denied reports of abduction and admitted that he had hidden due to fear of an internal inquiry.

“I went into hiding fearing an inquiry. I was not kidnapped, nor was I in anyone’s custody,” he stated.

According to investigation sources, the case is linked to an ongoing corruption probe involving several NCCIA officials. Earlier, FIA arrested nine officers, including former Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry, following accusations of bribery and misuse of authority in the Ducky Bhai gambling case.

The complaint originated from the family of YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai. His wife, Aroob Jatoi, alleged that NCCIA officials had taken bribes worth millions of rupees in both cash and crypto for leniency in his cybercrime case.

Former investigating officer Shoaib Riaz is accused of receiving Rs6 million for facilitating legal matters and an additional Rs3 million for judicial relief. Investigators say Rs5 million was passed on to Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry, while Shoaib Riaz retained Rs2 million. The remaining funds were allegedly shared among other NCCIA officials.

FIA officials said further arrests are possible as the inquiry into misconduct and financial wrongdoing within the agency expands.