ISLAMABAD: In what is being described as the largest cybercrime crackdown in Asia’s history, Pakistani authorities have launched an extensive operation targeting illegal call centers and scam networks.
Dubbed “Operation Grey,” the campaign has been underway for the past five days and marks an unprecedented move against sophisticated cybercriminal syndicates operating within and beyond Pakistan.
According to official sources, this sweeping operation focuses particularly on fraud rings previously linked to the Odhu tribe in Punjab, which have been sporadically targeted in the past. However, this time, the scale and coordination of the crackdown signal a major escalation in Pakistan’s fight against cyber fraud.
Due to the sensitive nature of the operation and the involvement of foreign nationals from over ten countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Kenya, and South Africa, detailed briefings are being shared with both Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at every critical stage.
For the first time in such raids, authorities have recovered Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from seized crypto wallets linked to the arrested suspects. So far, foreign currency worth over PKR 50 million has been recovered.
The operation is being led by Additional Director Operations Amir Nadeer, stationed at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Headquarters. All personnel from the Islamabad Headquarters, as well as the Rawalpindi and Islamabad circles, are actively participating in the raids.
High-level decisions have been made to register FIRs (First Information Reports) against the key masterminds behind these operations. Other foreign nationals involved are expected to be deported.
An NCCIA senior official confirmed that following the Eid holidays, the operation will expand nationwide, targeting all illegal call centers operating across Pakistan—such as the one previously run by an individual named Armaghan.
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