Woman-Led ATM Fraud Gang Arrested

News Desk 

Islamabad: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Islamabad has busted an organized ATM fraud gang and arrested several suspects, including a female ringleader, for deceiving citizens and stealing money from their bank accounts.

An official told APP on Sunday that the prime suspect, Asma Minhaj, was arrested from Chiniot. Following her arrest, further raids were conducted in Mehra Abadi, Islamabad, leading to the detention of other gang members.

The official said multiple ATM and debit cards, sensitive electronic devices, and other incriminating material were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

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According to preliminary investigations, the gang would swap ATM cards of unsuspecting citizens at ATM booths and later withdraw cash from their bank accounts. The suspects primarily targeted people during peak hours using deceptive tactics.

He said the arrested woman ringleader was a proclaimed offender and was wanted in multiple fraud cases.

A crackdown against remaining members of the network is underway, and further arrests are expected.

NCCIA officials said all facilitators involved in the ATM fraud network would be brought to justice, adding that investigations were being expanded to trace additional victims and financial links connected to the gang.

ICT Police put three behind bars

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have recovered a large cache of illegal weapons and arrested three suspects during an operation carried out by the Phulgran Police Station team as part of the ongoing “Weapon-Free City” campaign.

A police spokesperson told APP on Sunday that acting on intelligence-based information, the Phulgran police conducted a targeted operation in their jurisdiction and recovered illegal arms along with ammunition from the possession of the accused. The suspects were taken into custody on the spot and shifted to the police station for further legal action.

The spokesperson said that cases have been registered against the arrested individuals under relevant sections of law, while further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the weapons and identify possible facilitators.

SSP (Operations)  Qazi Ali Raza said that ICT Police was enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against illegal weapons, adding that indiscriminate action was being taken to ensure public safety and maintain peace across the federal capital.

He urged citizens to ensure timely registration of their licensed weapons at their respective police stations and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those found in possession of unlicensed arms.