As cases of online scams and digital fraud continue to increase across the country, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a public warning to help people protect their money and personal information.
In its advisory, the NCCIA said scammers are increasingly pretending to be bank managers or officials from government institutions such as NADRA, the FIA, or even the Army. These fraudsters often try to scare people by creating a sense of urgency and pressure, pushing them to share sensitive details.
The agency made it clear that genuine banks and government institutions never contact citizens through WhatsApp calls. Any call showing official logos on WhatsApp and claiming to be from a bank or government office should be treated as fake. Citizens have been advised to block such numbers immediately without responding.
The NCCIA stressed that asking for an OTP is a clear sign of fraud. No legitimate institution ever asks for an OTP for bank accounts, identity verification, or any other service. If someone demands an OTP sent to your phone, it is a confirmed scam.
According to the advisory, scammers often use threats such as closing bank accounts or taking urgent action. In some cases, they falsely mention the Army to intimidate people. The agency clarified that real bank officials never threaten customers or use abusive or aggressive language.
People are advised to hang up immediately if they receive a suspicious call and never share passwords, PINs, or personal details. The NCCIA urged citizens to remain calm and avoid panic when someone claims to be a bank or government official.
The agency also encouraged immediate reporting of such incidents. Victims or anyone who receives a suspicious call can report it by sending a message to 9000 or by calling the NCCIA helpline at 1799. The NCCIA said timely reporting and public awareness are essential to stopping fraud and protecting others from becoming victims.
