The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed a major corruption case against ten officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Rawalpindi, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.
The accused include two Additional Directors. Several Chinese nationals, their Pakistani spouses, and other private individuals are also named in the case.
The case centres on 15 call centres operating in a private housing society in Rawalpindi. These centres, run by foreign nationals, are alleged to have conducted illegal activities targeting the public. NCCIA officers are accused of protecting these call centres in exchange for large monthly bribes.
According to the FIR, officers allegedly collected around Rs 15 million per month. In total, current and former officials are reported to have illegally amassed nearly Rs 250 million.
After new officers were appointed, the alleged corruption reportedly continued. An additional Rs 50 million in bribes was allegedly collected.
Funds were reportedly routed through intermediaries Hasan Amir and Tahir Mohiuddin. Chinese national Gu Kashian, also known as Kelvin, and his Pakistani spouse are among the accused.
The spouse is alleged to have received Rs 21 million. Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali, posted at NCCIA Rawalpindi, is accused of sending violent videos via WhatsApp showing abuse of the Chinese national.
The FIR states that bribes were collected in three instalments. Investigators have recovered digital evidence, including videos and chat records, documenting the alleged corruption.
Named in the FIR are Additional Directors Shehzad Haider and Aamir Nazir, Deputy Directors Haider Abbas, Nadeem Abbas, and Suleman Awan, as well as current and former NCCIA officers. FIA Cyber Crime Cell officials, including Sub-Inspectors Mian Irfan, Muhammad Bilal, Sarim Ali, Usman Basharat, and Zaheer Abbas, are also listed.
The FIA Anti-Corruption investigative team, led by AD Mohammad Safir Ahmed with Inspector Mohammad Waheed Khan and SI Shams Gondal, is actively investigating the case. Large-scale raids are ongoing to apprehend the accused.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif