Online Scams & Fraud in Pakistan
In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed a burgeoning concern in the form of online scams and fraud, fueled by the rapid expansion of internet access and the pervasive influence of digital technologies. With the exponential growth of internet access and digital technologies, cybercriminals have seized the opportunity to exploit unsuspecting individuals for their own financial gains. Online scams in Pakistan encompass a wide range of fraudulent activities, with some of the most prevalent ones being investment scams, phishing scams, and crypto scams.
Read on as we uncover everything there is to know about scams in Pakistan including where to report, where to get victim support, and much more.
Scam Statistics in Pakistan
The key statistics on online fraud in Pakistan, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 212 million | 216 million | 220 million | 225 million |
| Internet Penetration | 21.7% | 21.7% | 32% | 53% |
| # of Scams | 94,764 | 102,356 | ||
| Scams / 1,000 | 0.9 | 2.37 | ||
| Money Lost | € 28 million | € 90.3 million | ||
| Money Lost / Capita | € 0.26 | € 0.47 | ||
| Money Lost / Report | € 297 | € 200 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Pakistan?
- Federal Investigation Agency- You can report any online scam or fraud to the FIA either through the Cybercrime Complaint Registration Form or by phone at 111-345-786.
- National Response Centre for Cyber Crime (NR3C)- The NR3C is the law enforcement agency in Pakistan dedicated to fighting scams and you can report any scam to them.
- Pakistan Telecommunications Authority- All telecom or phone-related scams can be reported here.
How to Report a Scam in Pakistan
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other relevant information. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Pakistan
Crime Victim Services Pakistan is a private organization that offers victims of crime help in the form of legal services, medical services, and psychological services, Reach out to them by Telephone: at 00923009625786, 042 35311231 or Email: at contact@crimevictimservicespakistan.com.pk
How to Check for a Scam in Pakistan
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.
- Competition Commission of Pakistan- They check anti-competitive business conduct and consumers can check here for consumer-related fraud or deceptive marketing practices.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan- You can check investment and financial-related scams here as they are the regulatory and supervisory authority in charge of the securities market.
- State Bank of Pakistan- You can check here for banking-related fraud here as well as measures taken by banks and financial institutions to mitigate fraud risk.
Scam News From Pakistan
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