Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) in a major child exploitation case, accusing a Rawalpindi-based suspect of grooming, exploiting, and blackmailing minors through fake social media accounts.
The FIR was lodged at the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad following the completion of Enquiry No. 239 of 2026, which identified evidence of systematic online grooming.
Fake Scholarship Pages Used to Target Minors
According to investigators, the accused created multiple fraudulent Instagram profiles, falsely posing as scholarship programmes, to lure children into online interactions.
Authorities said at least two minor boys were targeted initially. The suspect allegedly manipulated the victims into sharing obscene and sexually explicit material, which was later used to blackmail them by threatening public exposure.
Attempts to Hack Victims’ Social Media Accounts
The FIR states that the accused also attempted to illegally access the victims’ Instagram and WhatsApp accounts by requesting verification codes, a method commonly used to hijack accounts.
Further inquiry revealed that another minor was targeted through a separate fake Instagram account, where the accused impersonated a female. In that instance, officials said the suspect successfully obtained explicit material and unlawfully acquired a WhatsApp verification code linked to the child’s phone number.
Forensic Evidence and Financial Links
A forensic examination of the seized mobile phone uncovered extensive digital evidence. Investigators recovered hundreds of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files, along with records of repeated communication with multiple WhatsApp numbers.
Authorities also traced an Easypaisa account allegedly linked to the accused, which they believe was used for the sharing and possible sale of exploitative content within Pakistan and internationally.
Meta Data Confirms Account Ownership
Digital data obtained from Meta confirmed that the fake Instagram accounts were registered using phone numbers connected to the accused. Connectivity logs showed that the accounts were operated from the same mobile device and internet connection.
Investigators further found that the suspect was using a modified smartphone with an illegally altered IMEI number, an offense classified as electronic forgery under Pakistani law.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, along with relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify additional suspects, facilitators, and potential victims linked to the case.
