The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Lahore, has arrested a woman allegedly involved in operating a network that created fake WhatsApp accounts using illegally obtained activated SIM cards, officials said on Wednesday.
Woman held for operating fake whatsapp account network, 310 SIM cards seized
LAHORE, Jul 08 (APP): The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Lahore, has arrested a woman allegedly involved in operating a network that created fake WhatsApp accounts using illegally obtained activated SIM cards, officials said on Wednesday.
According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the suspect, identified as Safia Afzal, a resident of Sahiwal, was arrested during an operation conducted in connection with FIR No. 145/2026, registered on the complaint of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The spokesperson said the suspect allegedly acquired activated SIM cards through illegal means, used them to create fake WhatsApp accounts and sold the accounts to various individuals. Preliminary investigations suggested that she was part of an organised network facilitating the misuse of digital identities.
During the raid, NCCIA officials recovered 310 active SIM cards belonging to different mobile network operators along with a mobile phone from the suspect’s possession. The recovered digital evidence had been taken into custody for forensic examination and technical analysis.
The spokesperson said investigators were examining the digital evidence to determine the scale of the network, trace financial transactions, analyze online activities and identify other individuals involved in the illegal operation.
A case has been registered against the suspect under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 (as amended in 2025) and other relevant provisions of law. Further investigations were also underway to determine whether the network had links to online fraud, identity theft or other cyber-enabled offences.
The NCCIA reaffirmed its commitment to taking intelligence-based and evidence-driven action against individuals and organised networks involved in the illegal sale of SIM cards, fake digital identities, online fraud and other cybercrimes to strengthen Pakistan’s digital security framework and protect citizens from evolving cyber threats.
