PESHAWAR: A major digital banking fraud investigation has uncovered the alleged leak of personal data belonging to more than 170 customers of a private bank, with millions of rupees reportedly stolen from several accounts.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the suspects allegedly exploited the bank’s internal system to identify wealthy customers and obtain their personal information, including mobile numbers, email addresses and residential details.
The suspects allegedly changed customers’ registered contact information, obtained replacement ATM cards and subsequently withdrew funds from their accounts.
Officials said the gang had allegedly withdrawn a total of Rs15 million from the accounts of five wealthy customers before the FIA intervened, preventing further losses to other potential victims.
Investigators said an officer of the private bank allegedly provided the personal data of more than 170 customers to members of the criminal network.
After submitting requests for new ATM cards, the suspects allegedly conducted surveillance outside the homes of targeted customers and then fraudulently collected the cards from delivery riders.
The FIA arrested three alleged members of the network and recovered Rs9 million in cash along with important digital evidence, officials said.
The arrested suspects were identified as Abdullah, Imran Aziz and Atif.
The agency said its investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of the data leak, identify other possible victims and establish whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged fraud.
The FIA has urged citizens to remain vigilant against emerging forms of digital banking fraud and regularly monitor their bank accounts and transaction activity for any suspicious activity.
