Cybercrime cases rising, NCCIA to launch special WhatsApp helpline

Director General, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCIA) Khurram Ali has warned of a surge in incidents of WhatsApp and bank account hacking across Pakistan and said authorities have chalked out a thorough action plan to deal with the growing menace.

The agency would soon introduce a dedicated helpline to assist victims of WhatsApp hacking to recover their compromised accounts and guide them on cybercrime-related matters, Khurram Ali told the media.

He also said that the NCIA will be doing a public awareness campaign with Meta to teach citizens on how to protect themselves from online fraud and cyber scams in local languages.

NCIA chairman said that the adoption of two-step verification has helped lessen some of the WhatsApp hacking cases, but cybercriminals have continued to use new tactics to target users.

The increased usage of internet and cellphones has helped fuel the more widespread rise of online fraud and cybercrime nationwide, Khurram Ali said.

He said that some cybercrime gangs operating in Pakistan have been apprehended with the help of international collaboration and added that authorities are also working on methods to prevent the misuse of one-time passwords (OTPs) using innovative technology.

The NCIA chairman cautioned the public never to distribute OTP codes acquired on their mobile phones, noting that this remained one of the top reasons of hacks of WhatsApp and bank accounts.

He also recommended the citizens to take security precautions to better secure their WhatsApp accounts and banking information from online dangers.