Pakistan's rapid expansion of digital economy, online banking, and social media usage has brought with it a surge in cybercrime, with over 77,000 complaints lodged in the first five months of 2025. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reported that of these, more than 58,000 were verified, leading to over 8,000 inquiries, 457 formal cases, and 520 arrests. However, the number of convictions remains dismally low, prompting victims to question the efficacy of the justice system.
Underreporting and Victim Frustration
Many incidents go unreported due to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of faith in the system. Shumaila, a victim of banking fraud, recounted how money was siphoned from her husband's bank accounts through a scam. After repeated visits to the bank, she was discouraged by the prospect of multiple trips to cybercrime offices and eventually abandoned the case. Similarly, Khawaja Shoaib highlighted a common scam where fraudsters pose as parcel delivery representatives and ask for a PIN code. "Once the code is shared, victims can lose access to their WhatsApp accounts, which are then taken over by fraudsters," Shoaib said.
Financial Losses and Emotional Distress
Victims report not only financial losses but also severe emotional distress. A Lahore-based businessman, speaking anonymously, shared that he received a call from someone pretending to be a bank representative. Within minutes, large sums were withdrawn from his account. Although he filed a complaint immediately, recovering the money took months, and he still could not recover the full amount. Another woman from Lahore described how her social media account was hacked and used to send messages requesting money from her contacts. "The hacker sent messages in my name and deceived people," she said, adding that the incident caused her significant mental stress.
Common Cybercrimes and Vulnerable Groups
Cybercrime expert Kaukab Zuberi identified the most common cybercrimes in Pakistan: online financial fraud, WhatsApp and Facebook account hacking, fake investment schemes, online shopping scams, identity theft, and blackmail via social media. Women and young people are increasingly targeted. Zuberi attributed the rise in cybercrime to a lack of public awareness. "Many people are unfamiliar with fraudsters' tactics and continue to click on suspicious links or share sensitive information," he said, stressing that institutions must educate citizens about online risks and safe digital practices.
Capacity Issues in Enforcement
Zuberi also pointed to capacity issues within cybercrime enforcement agencies. "A large number of cases remain pending while there is a shortage of trained cybercrime specialists," he noted, calling for the recruitment of skilled investigators and stronger public awareness campaigns through mainstream and social media. Cybersecurity experts believe most successful cybercrimes result from weak passwords, clicking suspicious links, sharing personal information, and failing to use two-factor authentication.
City-Wise Breakdown and Recommendations
Karachi records the highest number of cybercrime complaints, followed by Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar. Experts say these cities are more heavily targeted due to greater internet usage, mobile banking activity, and online commerce. Zuberi emphasized that law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. "Digital security education in schools and universities, stronger security systems by banks and telecom companies, faster judicial action, and greater public vigilance are necessary. Citizens should avoid trusting unknown callers, suspicious links, or investment offers and should report suspicious activity immediately," he said.
Experts warn that cybercrime is no longer just a technical issue but an economic, social, and national security challenge. Despite successful operations against fraud networks and hacking groups, rising complaints show stronger action is needed from the government, private sector, and the public.
