Cybersecurity

FIA Probes NCCIA Bribery Scandal Involving Scam Call Centres in Islamabad

The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle in Islamabad has registered a case in the high-profile NCCIA bribery scandal, targeting 10 officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, including two Additional Directors, along with Chinese nationals, their Pakistani spouses, and other private individuals.

The case concerns allegations that the accused supported illegal activities at 15 call centres operated by foreign nationals in a private housing society in Rawalpindi while demanding substantial monthly bribes in exchange for protection. Large-scale raids are underway to apprehend the suspects.

According to FIR number 326/2025, the call centres were allegedly defrauding the public through various scams. NCCIA officers reportedly facilitated these centres and collected bribes totaling approximately Rs15 million per month, with cumulative illicit gains of around Rs250 million. Even after new officers were appointed at NCCIA, illegal collections allegedly continued, adding Rs50 million in bribes, reportedly routed through intermediaries Hasan Amir and Tahir Mohiuddin.

The arrest of Chinese national Gu Kashian, also known as Kelvin, and 14 other foreigners revealed that his Pakistani spouse allegedly received a bribe of Rs21 million. Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali, posted at NCCIA Rawalpindi, is accused of sending violent videos via WhatsApp showing the abuse of Gu Kashian.

Key Officials Named in NCCIA Bribery Case

Investigators said bribes were collected in three instalments, and digital evidence, including chat records and videos, has been recovered. The FIR names two Additional Directors Shehzad Haider and Aamir Nazir, Deputy Directors Haider Abbas, Nadeem Abbas, and Suleman Awan, as well as other current and former NCCIA officers and FIA Cyber Crime Cell staff including Sub-Inspectors Mian Irfan, Muhammad Bilal, Sarim Ali, Usman Basharat, and Zaheer Abbas. The case has been registered under sections 109, 161, 386, 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947.

Seven NCCIA officers submitted their resignations following allegations of bribery linked to the arrest of YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai. Investigations revealed that several senior NCCIA officers allegedly received substantial bribes following his arrest, including one officer transferring over $300,000 from Ducky Bhai’s account to his own, which was then reportedly shared among others.

The scandal intensified when several officers, including Assistant Director Chaudhry Sarfraz Ahmed and Director of Operations Muhammad Usman, mysteriously disappeared. Last week, six NCCIA officials were arrested and presented in court, with physical remand granted as part of a case for large bribe collection and abuse of power. The complaint was filed by Aroob Jatoi, Ducky Bhai’s wife, and FIA officials confirmed that approximately Rs42.5 million has been recovered from the accused.