Latest news with #WaqaruddinSyed
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business Recorder
FIA's former Cyber Crime Wing transformed into NCCIA
ISLAMABAD: In a major move to tackle the growing threat of cybercrime, the government has formally transformed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s former Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) into an independent and autonomous body, namely, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The newly established NCCIA has been granted full authority to prevent, investigate, and take action against cybercrimes across the country. This dedicated agency will handle a wide range of digital offences, including online fraud, harassment, digital blackmail, identity theft, fake websites, social media crimes, and other malicious cyber activities. According to an official statement issued by the agency, the FIA's CCW has officially been dissolved. All responsibilities related to cybercrime investigations and complaints have now been transferred to the NCCIA, it says, adding that citizens are now required to contact NCCIA directly for any cybercrime-related issues. The newly established agency is tasked with responding promptly to any reports of suspicious online activity or cybercrimes. Citizens can reach out to the NCCIA Helpdesk via phone at 051-9106691 or email at:helpdesk @ It is important to note that the FIA no longer deals with cybercrime matters. For any complaints or guidance related to cybercrimes, the public is encouraged to visit the nearest NCCIA Circle Office, it says. Grade-20 officer of the PSP and former Director of the FIA's Cybercrime Circle, Waqaruddin Syed has been appointed as the first Director General (DG) of the newly-established NCCIA. The NCCIA is to exercise jurisdiction under the Act [Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, 2025]. According to the PECA Act 2025, the investigation agency shall establish its own capacity for forensic analysis of the data or in information systems and the forensic analysis reports generated by the investigation agency shall not be inadmissible in evidence before any court for the sole reason that such reports were generated by the investigation agency. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-02-2025
- Express Tribune
FIA cracks down on misuse of foreign SIMs
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) cracked down on criminals using foreign mobile phone SIM cards, rounding up 44 suspects from different parts of the country, a senior official of the agency's Cyber Crime Wing said on Friday. Speaking at a news conference, Waqaruddin Syed, the Additional Director General of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing, said that British pre-activated SIM cards appeared to the most popular among those involved in cybercrimes in Pakistan. "New methods are being used to harass people and one way is the use of foreign mobile SIMs [Subscriber Identity Modules] are being used in cybercrimes, such as financial fraud, kidnapping for ransom, child pornography and terrorism," Syed told a press conference in the federal capital. "Mostly, British SIMs are being used in Pakistan, because these are easily available in the market, and are cheap, too. Criminals are using foreign SIMs extensively to hide their identities. Misuse of these SIMs is a punishable offence in Pakistan," he added. According to Syed, the FIA registered 21 cases against the illegal purchase and sale of international SIMs and arrested 44 suspects. He also said that 8,363 British SIMs were recovered in raids in various cities, including Multan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Sukkur, and Abbottabad. "These SIMs are illegally brought to Pakistan and purchased through online orders – cash on deliverythrough social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook," Syed said, adding that the FIA was taking action against those involved in it under the cybercrimes law. The FIA official asked the social media companies to keep the data of the users of those SIMs, because if such SIMs were linked to terrorism or other heinous crimes, strict action would be taken against their users. However, he assured that there would be no issue for those who used such SIMs legally. "A nationwide crackdown has been launched. This crackdown is just the beginning and further actions will be taken to eradicate the cybercrimes from Pakistan. The government of Pakistan will raise this matter with the British authorities," he said. PTA raids The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Offices in Sukkur and Faisalabad, in collaboration with the FIA Cyber Crime Wing, successfully conducted raids targeting illegal issuance and sale of pre-activated international and local SIMs. In Sukkur, a raid at Clock Tower led to the confiscation two international SIMs and five pre-activated Jazz SIM cards. According to a news release on Friday, the shop owner was taken into custody by the FIA and an FIR has been lodged. Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, joint raids were carried out at three locations, resulting in the arrest of two individuals involved in the illegal sale of international SIMs. The recovered SIMs have been seized, and FIRs are under process. Further investigations and legal proceedings are underway.
