Fake Crypto Investments Behind $60 Million Scam Uncovered by Pakistan Authorities.
What Happened in the Karachi Raids? - Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has dismantled what authorities described as an “international cartel” tied to online investment fraud worth around $60 million. The operation led to the arrest of 15 foreign nationals and 19 Pakistani citizens during coordinated raids.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said the suspects ran worldwide large scale online investment scams, using social media platforms and messaging apps to target victims inside Pakistan and abroad in various countries.
According to investigators, the raids recovered 37 computers, 40 mobile phones, more than 10,000 international SIM cards, and six illegal gateway exchange devices.
Investor Takeaway - The case shows how investment scams now blend crypto, forex, and social media at scale, relying less on technical hacks and more on long-term manipulation of trust.
How Did the Scam Operate? Lanjar said the fraud followed a familiar pattern. Victims were contacted through social media or messaging apps and gradually drawn into private groups that promoted trading opportunities with promised high returns.
Once trust was established, victims were asked to open accounts on fake trading platforms. These platforms displayed fabricated profit figures, creating the impression that investments were growing steadily.
The minister explained that when a victim’s supposed investment approached around $5,000, the scheme escalated. Victims were asked to pay additional charges under various pretexts, including taxes, withdrawal fees, or account verification costs. After the payments were made, access to the accounts was blocked, cutting off communication.
Where Did the Money Go? - Authorities said the scam relied on a cross-border financial structure. Funds were first collected in bank accounts based in the victims’ countries. From there, the money was converted into cryptocurrency and moved across borders to reach the main beneficiaries.
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