Fraudsters Posing as FIA Officers Threaten People in New WhatsApp Scam

A recent scam has emerged where individuals impersonate Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officers to deceive citizens. A victim reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be an FIA officer, alleging that a mobile number registered in the victim’s name was involved in a criminal case. To appear legitimate, the caller provided personal details, including the victim’s registered phone numbers, CNIC, and address.

The impersonator insisted that an additional SIM was registered in the victim’s name without their knowledge and stated that another FIA officer would contact them via WhatsApp. Subsequently, the victim received a WhatsApp call requesting a video call for verification purposes. Growing suspicious, the victim declined and suggested meeting at the officer’s office instead. However, the caller was even aware that the victim was not in Islamabad and questioned how they would reach the office within two hours.

Persistently, the fake officer pressured the victim for a video call, and upon refusal, attempted to intimidate them. When these tactics failed, the caller claimed that an FIR number would be sent to the victim’s phone and requested that they share it. The victim realized that the message was a WhatsApp authentication code, indicating an attempt to access their account. After this realization, the call ended, and the victim was unable to re-establish contact.

This incident highlights the sophisticated methods scammers employ, such as using personal information to gain trust and access sensitive data. The FIA has acknowledged the rise in such fraudulent activities and has formed a task force to combat online fraudsters.

Safety Recommendations:

• Always confirm the identity of individuals claiming to be officials by contacting the relevant agency directly.
• Do not share personal details, or verification codes, or engage in unsolicited video calls.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter such scams, report them to the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing through their official complaint portal.

Staying vigilant and informed is crucial to safeguarding against these evolving scams!