Pakistan’s largest cybercrime operation implicates a prominent political figure. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested 648 foreign nationals across Islamabad in August, exposing a scheme spanning seven countries with alleged government protection at the highest levels.
The crackdown began with coordinated raids at Sparco Plaza in Gulberg Greens and an illegal call center in Sector I-10/3. Authorities apprehended 372 foreign nationals at Sparco Plaza alone, discovering illegal digital operations orchestrating cyber-romance fraud, sexual extortion, and AI deepfake schemes.That number has beyond doubled since then as the FIA also arrested 258 suspects. These were predominantly from Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meanwhile, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested 276 additional foreigners at a separate facility operating under the name “Aofu Group.”
The investigation revealed shocking connections within government ranks. Two arrests occurred at the personal chambers of a prominent political leader, according to high-level sources close to the investigation. The lawyer-turned-politician allegedly provided shelter to hundreds of foreign nationals through a company involved in cyber-romance fraud, sexual content production, and online financial schemes. Officials expect the political figure’s arrest imminently as evidence mounts.
#BreakingNews: A prominent politician, allegedly linked to a multi-billion-rupee Online Scam, may face arrest, high profile sources said. The lawyer-turned-politician has been accused of providing shelter to hundreds of foreign nationals through a company allegedly involved in…
— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) August 23, 2026
Government complicity extended beyond a single politician. Authorities arrested four government employees who allegedly assisted suspects at airports and FIA checkpoints, accepting bribes to facilitate operations. Four senior officials within the Ministry of Interior and Cyber Authority’s investigation team confirmed the scope of political involvement during briefings with law enforcement.
The scam networks generated losses worth billions of rupees through fraudulent investment platforms, fake loan applications, and explicit content sites targeting both Pakistani citizens and foreigners. The FIA and NCCIA sought support from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to pursue charges immediately. International coordination with embassies from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and three other nations accelerated follow-up investigations.
Arrested suspects face charges under Sections 14 and 21 of PECA 2016 and Sections 419, 420, 34 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Authorities transferred most detainees to Attock and Adiala jails pending trial.
