Stories of Pakistan’s Online Scam Survivors
Shazia Mehboob
Islamabad: The dream of earning money online has once again turned into a nightmare for thousands across Pakistan—particularly for the youth.
After investing their time and hard-earned savings in what appeared to be legitimate online earning apps, countless users were left devastated when the platforms abruptly shut down, taking their money with them.
“There was a data entry job offer on my Instagram, and since I was in need of money, I reached out to them via message. They responded immediately and offered me different work packages based on the task requirements,” shared Amna Ahmed, a young graduate from Rawalpindi, Punjab.
Amna recalled that the recruiter asked her to register first, explaining that various salary packages were available—each offering a fixed monthly income. “After I registered, things started to feel suspicious,” she said. “They told me I would start earning only after completing registration and applying certain discounts.”
Initially, everything seemed legitimate. “It looked like a regular data entry job. They used to post topics, and I had to take screenshots, type them in Word files, and submit around 15–20 pages per task,” she said. “For the first two to three months, they even paid proper salaries.”
Soon after, the scheme expanded. “They introduced a referral system—if I referred someone using my code, I’d get a 20–30% bonus. I even got my family involved because the payments looked genuine,” Amna said. But her trust was misplaced.
“Later, the discounts and packages kept changing, payments got delayed, and eventually, all contact with them vanished. I tried calling, but the number was switched off.”
Amna says that her father, who was already alarmed about online frauds and used to sensitize us about any potential fraud, tried to trace out, but there was no avail.
The Expanding Web of Digital Deception
A senior official at Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT), speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to the media, revealed that such scams are increasing in Pakistan, particularly in urban areas of Punjab.
He said the agency has repeatedly warned about “honey trap” and freelancing scams that mainly target students, job seekers, and freelancers.
The senior official further explained that these scams usually start through social media pages, advertisements, or WhatsApp messages offering attractive online jobs, investment opportunities, or other deceptive pretexts.
Once victims respond, they are added to fake professional groups, lured with promises of quick profits, and ultimately manipulated into financial or personal exploitation.
When Easy Money Turns into Exploitation
Saba Naureen, a graduating student from Rawalpindi, shared her troubling experience, saying, “One day, I received a random WhatsApp call from an unknown number. A woman on the line acted suspiciously, and soon after, I began receiving threats. They claimed to have edited videos and personal photos of me and warned they would share them with my contacts on Facebook and Instagram.”
Sharing more about her ordeal, Saba said, “They demanded $50–$60, which I paid to stop them. Fortunately, they didn’t post anything publicly, but the entire experience was terrifying.”
“The scams are no longer limited to fake online jobs or financial fraud—they now increasingly involve harassment and blackmail of innocent citizens, particularly targeting young women in Pakistani society,” said Farhan Younus, a digital media entrepreneur and IT expert from Islamabad. Younus explained that due to cultural and social factors, young women are particularly vulnerable to such scams.
Family Identity Used in Online Fraud
Sadaf Ali, a small business owner, shared her experience of falling victim to an online fraud. He said that a person contacted her through Facebook Messenger, claiming to be her nephew who had recently moved abroad and urgently needed Rs100,000.
“The fraudster had created a fake Facebook ID using my nephew’s name and photos, so I believed it was really him,” Sadaf explained. Trusting the message, she transferred the money to the account number provided. However, soon after he confirmed the transaction, the scammer blocked her and disappeared.
Scammers Wearing Familiar Faces
Sohail Afaq, another victim, narrated how scammers now exploit familiarity to deceive people. “A few days ago, I received a WhatsApp call from someone who spoke as if he’d known me for years. His accent was like one of my long-time friends in Karachi,” Sohail said.
“The caller introduced himself as Imran*, a colleague from Karachi, and said he urgently needed money. But when I suggested he contact me through our regular channel, he hung up. That’s when I realized it was a scam,” he added.
Cybercrime on the Rise
The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reported one of Pakistan’s largest online frauds, involving nearly Rs20 billion. The suspects allegedly lured people into investing in fake trading companies with promises of handsome returns.
According to NCCIA officials in Multan, hundreds of complaints were received, mostly from South Punjab. The agency, in collaboration with international law enforcement partners including the FBI and Dutch Police, recently dismantled a major cybercrime network known as the HeartSender Group—operating out of Multan and Lahore.
Stay Vigilant
The National CERT has once again sounded the alarm over the growing wave of “honey trap” scams spreading through messaging apps like WhatsApp. Scammers often pose as recruiters or agents from legitimate freelancing platforms, adding victims to fake professional groups. Once inside, they expose them to explicit content, later using it for blackmail and extortion.
The agency warned that these scams can result in financial loss, emotional distress, reputational harm, and misuse of personal data. Citizens have been urged to remain cautious, avoid joining unverified online groups, and report suspicious activity to the FIA Cybercrime Wing through its official helpline and online complaint portal.
The Need of the Hour
As Pakistan’s digital economy grows, so does the risk of exploitation through unverified online platforms. With cybercriminals constantly evolving their tactics, digital literacy and public awareness have become critical shields against such threats.
Farhan Youbus recommend that citizens verify all online earning opportunities, avoid sharing personal information or transferring money without verification, and consult official cybercrime authorities before engaging in any online financial transaction.
Shazia Mehboob is a PhD scholar and a visiting faculty member. She is also an investigative journalist and the founder of The PenPK.com. She tweets @thepenpk.
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