NCCIA arrests 10 accused in crackdown on online harassment of women

LAHORE, Jun 13 (APP): National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab has arrested 10 suspects during separate operations in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad for harassing women online, blackmailing them and using objectionable content to exert pressure on victims.

The operations were conducted on the directions of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem. Mobile phones, digital evidence and other relevant devices were recovered from the suspects and taken into custody for forensic examination.

According to NCCIA spokesperson, Mustafa and Arif were arrested in two separate cases in Lahore for allegedly harassing women online. In Multan, Aziz, Tanveer and Asad were arrested in one case, while Ashfaq and Tahir were taken into custody in separate cases on similar charges.

In Faisalabad, Fakhar was arrested for allegedly blackmailing his former wife by sending her videos and photographs to relatives. In another case, Farooq was arrested for allegedly harassing a woman through online platforms.

During a separate operation in Faisalabad, Haseeb was arrested for allegedly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to create fake and objectionable images of a former friend, threatening to circulate them on social media and extorting Rs2 million from the victim.

The spokesperson said preliminary investigations and digital evidence recovered from the suspects indicated their involvement in online harassment and blackmailing activities targeting women. Further investigations are underway and additional legal action will be taken in light of the forensic examination reports.

NCCIA Director Punjab Muhammad Ali Waseem said the agency would continue indiscriminate action against individuals involved in blackmailing, harassing and tarnishing the dignity and reputation of women, adding that all available resources would be utilized to bring such offenders to justice in accordance with the law.