Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has cracked down on rampant corruption in the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gujranwala chapter. Three top officials and associates face serious allegations of taking bribes worth millions to let off online scammers scot-free.
Acting on intelligence and a detailed citizen complaint, FIA registered a case against the accused, who are now in custody. The Express Tribune reported how these officers exploited cyber fraud investigations for personal gain, pocketing huge sums to bury cases.
Muzammil Iqbal’s testimony paints a terrifying picture of state-backed thuggery. Posing as FIA cyber wing personnel, intruders raided his Garden Town residence on February 2. They restrained family members, grabbed gadgets including 15 phones and a laptop, and subjected men to brutal beatings. Blindfolded and confined, the victims were then hauled to an office for grilling on crypto trades and e-commerce.
Extortion followed: hefty cash payouts, cryptocurrency transfers, and ATM withdrawals were demanded to evade prosecution. Partial returns of seized items offered false relief, but key valuables like cash vanished.
Salman Raza echoed similar horrors, with kidnappers seeking 5 crore rupees from his family. Iqbal negotiated down to 3 crore through alleged FIA insiders—30 lakh cash upfront, rest digitized—securing a fragile freedom.
As investigations deepen, this scandal exposes vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s fight against cybercrime. Will it spur genuine accountability, or is it just another chapter in institutional rot?
