ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to launch a nationwide crackdown on illegal call centres operating across Pakistan, according to sources.
A new task force has been formed after the reported failure of the NCCIA’s ‘Operation Grey’. The task force includes officials from intelligence agencies, the FIA’s cybercrime wing and the National Forensics Agency (NFA), while federal police and district administrations have also been made part of the team.
The task force will operate under the FIA headquarters and investigate alleged activities including blackmailing, gambling and scams linked to illegal call centres. Details of operations and investigations will be submitted to the Ministry of Interior on a daily basis.
All relevant departments have been directed to cooperate with the task force. Sources said a list of call centres operating in Karachi has also been prepared.
The decision comes after the FIA and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) conducted a raid in Islamabad’s I-10/3 area and arrested 275 foreign nationals allegedly involved in operating an illegal call centre.
According to the FIA, the arrested individuals included nationals from China and several other countries. The operation also uncovered alleged involvement in the production of inappropriate content at the call centre.
Officials said foreign men and women had allegedly been recruited for producing such content, while other illegal activities were also reportedly being carried out at the facility.
The FIA registered cases against the arrested individuals under the Foreigners Act, while the NCCIA initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
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