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PTA, FIA Crack Down on Illegal SIMs: 8 Arrested, 7,000 SIM Cards Seized
PTA & FIA arrested 8 suspects, seizing 7,000+ illegal SIMs in a raid on a Ufone franchise in Sahiwal. Authorities also confiscated fake fingerprints, biometric devices, and laptops used for SIM fraud.
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-27
PTA, FIA Crack Down on Illegal SIMs: 8 Arrested, 7,000 SIM Cards Seized

In a major crackdown against illegal SIM card operations, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing arrested eight individuals and seized over 7,000 illegal SIM cards earlier this month.

According to an official press release, PTA's Lahore Zonal Office, in collaboration with FIA Cyber Crime Circle, raided a Ufone franchise in Arifwala, Sahiwal, uncovering a sophisticated SIM fraud network.

Key Recoveries from the Raid:

📌 650 paper fingerprints (6,500 impressions)
📌 1,500 digital fingerprints (15,000 impressions)
📌 12 silicon thumb/finger sets
📌 105 active SIM cards
📌 3 Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices
📌 Scanner and laptop used for SIM registration fraud

The franchise owner was arrested on the spot, while another suspect in Bahawalnagar was caught supplying fake fingerprints. The case is under FIA investigation, and an FIR has been registered.

Illegal UK SIMs Being Used in Pakistan for Cybercrime

Earlier this month, FIA Additional Director General Waqaruddin Syed revealed that illegal international SIMs, particularly from the UK, were being misused in Pakistan for serious crimes including:
⚠️ Child pornography
⚠️ Kidnapping for ransom
⚠️ Online financial fraud

In a nationwide crackdown, 44 suspects were arrested from:
🔸 Rawalpindi
🔸 Gujranwala
🔸 Peshawar
🔸 Sukkur
🔸 Abbottabad

Authorities seized 8,363 international SIM cards from the UK, and 21 criminal cases were registered across Pakistan.

PTA’s Commitment to Cybersecurity

The PTA emphasized that this crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to prevent misuse of the Multi-Finger Biometric Verification System (MBVS). The Authority remains committed to eliminating illegal SIM issuance and ensuring strict enforcement against violations.

Conclusion

The rise of SIM fraud and cybercrime poses a serious security threat in Pakistan. With continuous efforts from PTA & FIA, authorities are cracking down on illegal SIM networks to safeguard citizens from cyber threats.
Tagged:

CyberCrime

FIAAction

SIMFraud

PTACrackdown
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