NCCIA issues warning over fake Rs13,000 cash assistance claims on Iqbal Day

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has warned citizens against fraudulent links circulating on social media and other platforms, falsely promising Rs13,000 in cash assistance from the prime minister on Iqbal Day.

According to the advisory, scammers are using fake announcements, misleading messages and suspicious links to deceive people and potentially steal their personal information.

The agency has advised citizens not to open suspicious links, share unverified messages or disclose personal and financial details to unknown sources.

People have also been urged to verify announcements through official government channels.

The NCCIA stressed that citizens should remain alert to fake offers of financial assistance and other benefits, adding that responsible online behaviour is essential to preventing cybercrime.

Separately, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned about another growing scam in which fraudsters impersonate courier-company representatives to obtain sensitive information, including one-time passwords (OTPs).

According to the PTA, scammers contact people claiming to have a parcel or shipment for delivery and ask them to share an OTP to complete the process. The authority has urged citizens never to disclose OTPs to unknown callers or individuals claiming to represent courier companies.