NCCIA Pakistan: Cybercrime Cases, Arrests & How Criminals Are Caught (2026)
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is Pakistan’s federal body for investigating online crime. Between 2023 and May 2026 it registered 5,755 cybercrime cases and arrested 7,600 suspects, yet only 199 convictions were recorded. Here is how NCCIA cases work, who gets caught and why.
What Is NCCIA in Pakistan?
NCCIA stands for National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. It was set up in 2024 as an independent federal agency to investigate and prosecute cybercrime under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which was amended in 2025. It took over the work of the old FIA cybercrime wing and now handles complaints from across Pakistan.
NCCIA Cases and Arrests in Pakistan: Latest Figures
According to an official document presented in the National Assembly, NCCIA received 523,749 complaints between 2023 and 2026. Of these, 5,755 became registered cases.
| Year | Cases Registered | Arrests | Inquiries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,375 | 2,007 | 18,012 |
| 2024 | 1,667 | 2,157 | 24,012 |
| 2025 | 2,256 | 2,916 | 30,214 |
| 2026 (Jan–May) | 457 | 520 | 8,048 |
| Total | 5,755 | 7,600 | 80,090 |
Source: official figures presented in the National Assembly, reported by ProPakistani and Journalism Pakistan (May 2026). The 2026 numbers cover only the first five months.
In 2025 alone, NCCIA’s spokesperson said the agency submitted 774 challans (charge sheets) to courts and recovered Rs 461 million in financial fraud cases. It also shut down hundreds of illegal loan apps together with PTA and SECP.
How Does NCCIA Catch Cybercriminals? Step by Step
- Complaint: A victim files a complaint with NCCIA through its official channels.
- Verification: The complaint is checked. In the first five months of 2026, 58,286 of 77,023 complaints were verified.
- Inquiry: If there is substance, an inquiry begins and digital evidence is collected (phone numbers, social media accounts, IP addresses, bank and wallet records).
- FIR registration: A case is registered under the relevant PECA sections.
- Raid and arrest: Teams in cities such as Lahore, Gujranwala, Karachi and Islamabad raid the suspect’s location and seize phones, SIMs and devices.
- Forensics and challan: Devices go for forensic analysis and the challan is submitted to court.
- Trial: The court decides on conviction or acquittal.
Most Common Cybercrime Cases NCCIA Handles
- Online harassment and blackmail of women: usually registered under PECA Sections 20, 21 and 24. NCCIA Punjab arrested suspects in Lahore and Gujranwala in 2026 for harassment, blackmail and spreading explicit content.
- Online financial fraud: fake bank calls, wallet scams, phishing and illegal loan apps.
- Online gambling and betting apps: cases were registered against YouTubers accused of promoting illegal trading and gambling apps.
- Fake news and anti-state propaganda: in May 2026, NCCIA Punjab arrested 11 people over alleged anti-state propaganda.
- Identity theft, hacking and fake social media accounts.
Why Are Convictions So Low?
Only 199 convictions were recorded between 2023 and 2026, a conviction rate below 0.04% of complaints. Courts recorded 416 acquittals in 2023, 268 in 2024, 168 in 2025 and 25 in 2026. Officials and observers point to difficulties in digital evidence collection, forensic backlogs and weak prosecution. Journalists’ bodies have also raised concerns about PECA cases being used against media workers, so the law remains a topic of public debate.
How to Report a Cybercrime in Pakistan
- Do not delete chats, screenshots, links, account usernames or transaction IDs.
- Do not pay the blackmailer or share more personal data.
- Report the account on the platform (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok).
- File a complaint through NCCIA’s official website or helpline, or visit the nearest NCCIA office.
Comments (0)