Cyber fraud has caused financial losses of Rs8.32 billion to more than 227,000 people in Pakistan over the past three years, highlighting the growing threat of online scams across the country. According to documents reported by The Express Tribune, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) received 227,757 complaints during the period.
The reported complaints included 83,080 cases in 2024, 76,646 in 2025 and 68,031 in the following year. Collectively, victims reported losing billions of rupees through different forms of cyber fraud.
Six parliamentarians were also among those who collectively lost around Rs2.749 million. The affected lawmakers included senators and members of provincial and national assemblies. The NCCIA was able to recover more than Rs918,000 for three of the affected senators, according to the documents.
Cybercriminals reportedly used several methods to target victims, including WhatsApp account hacking and fraudulent calls in which scammers pretended to represent banks or other institutions.
Authorities have also warned that the actual scale of cyber fraud could be considerably higher because many people do not report relatively small financial losses. NCCIA sources said thousands of people may lose amounts ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of rupees without filing complaints.
The figures have renewed concerns over digital security and the need for stronger public awareness, banking safeguards and effective action against online fraud networks in Pakistan.
