According to recent statistical data, financial fraud, fake profiles, harassment, hacking, and defamation are the fastest growing cybercrimes in Pakistan. In 2023, financial fraud was the most reported type of online crime in Pakistan, out of 84,764 complaints, 20,218 people reported being victims of financial fraud. This numbering was more than hacking (7,966), cyber harassment (6,023), and cyber defamation (6,004).
The Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) follows the laws in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 that help tackle cybercrimes which are becoming more common. The CCW started in 2007 to stop people from misusing technology. It is the only unit in Pakistan that deals directly with cybercrime complaints and takes legal action against cybercriminals. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled all the methods and details to file a complaint against cybercrime in Pakistan. If you are interested in knowing about Top Cyber Security Consulting Companies in Pakistan then read our detailed article on it to get complete details about the organizations and their offerings.
Cyber Crime is an illegal activity that either targets or uses a computer network, a networked device or a computer itself. In Pakistan, most Cyber Crimes is committed by local hackers and cybercriminals who want to make money. Usually, it includes a wide range of illegal activities like identity theft, phishing, malware distribution, online fraud, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, etc.
Cybercriminals find weak points and take benefit of these security holes and vulnerabilities found in any system and exploit them to take a position inside the targeted environment. Security holes can be a result of using weak passwords and authentication methods, it can also occur due to the lack of strict security policies and models.
Cybercrime is usually classified into 4 types, that include:
This type mainly targets individuals with phishing, spoofing, spam, cyber stalking, and similar activities.
This type of cyber crime mainly focuses on organizations and is often carried out by groups of criminals using tactics like malware attacks and denial of service attacks.
This type of cyber crime aims at stealing property, such as intellectual property rights or credit card information.
This is the most severe type of cyber crime involving cyber-terrorism, creating a significant threat to society.
The most common activities that fall under Cyber crime may include:
Phishing and Scam
Hacking/Misusing Computer Networks
Social Media Fraud
Online Drug Trafficking
Electronic Money Laundering
Online Recruitment Fraud
Phishing and Scam
Hacking/Misusing Computer Networks
Social Media Fraud
Online Drug Trafficking
Electronic Money Laundering
Online Recruitment Fraud
In Pakistan, you can file your complaint through different methods. After complaint registration, you can track your complaint easily. If you submit your complaint in person, it will be processed immediately and you will receive a complaint number. If you submit complaints, they will processed it within a week and if you submit your complaints via email, it will be registered within 8-10 days by your cybercrime circle.
If you want to register a complain on PCP, then read our complete guide on it: How to Register Your Complaint on Pakistan Citizen Portal: An Easy Guide to Use PCP
If you are a victim, then you can follow the below instructions to register a cyber-crime in Pakistan
Registering a complaint with FIA’s cybercrime wing is very straightforward and even does not require you to go anywhere.
Simply write down your application (in plain English or Urdu), narrate your complete problem, provide as much evidence and details as you can, and send it to the FIA National Response Center for Cyber Crimes (NR3C). Address this application to the Director of Cyber Crimes, FIA Headquarters, Islamabad. Write down your issue with complete details.
If you want to register a complaint through an online form, Visit the National Response Centre for Cyber Crime (NR3C) website: www.nr3c.gov.pk/. Click on Complaint on the top menu bar. You will be directed to the FIA Complaint Registration website: fia.gov.pk/complaints_dept. Fill out the online form with the required information.
Click “Submit Complaint” to register your complaint.
Once you file a complaint, the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing will investigate the complaint matter which may include forensic analysis of digital devices, tracing their online activities and potentially contacting suspects or witnesses.
When filing your complaint, you will need to provide some basic information, including:
CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) Number
A detailed description of the cybercrime incident including the date, time, and any evidence you may have (screenshots, emails, etc.)
You can also nominate or mention anyone with their address details and phone Number.
You can email them at helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk or contact them at 051-9106384, 051-9106690, 051-9106691, or 1991 for any queries or to track your cyber crime complaint. If you email them, expect a reply within 24 hours or if you send it via fax, it might take up to 7 days to receive a response by mail. they will give you a tracking number so you can check your complaint’s status later on. After registering your complaint, verification will be carried out in 12-14 days while an investigation authority has 90 days to finalize your complaint. So, as per the Pakistani rules, action on your complaint will be taken within these 90 days of inquiry.
You can find your complaint according to the jurisdiction of your area, listed as:
| Cyber Crime Reporting Centers | Area of Jurisdiction ( District ) |
|---|---|
| Islamabad | Islamabad (Islamabad capital territory) |
| Rawalpindi | Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal |
| Gujranwala | Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Narowal, Sialkot, Gujrat, Mandi Bahadduldin |
| Lahore | Lahore, Sheikhupura. Sahiwal, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Okara and Pakpattan, Haveli Lakha, Renala Khurd. |
| Faisalabad | Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang. Sargodha, Khushab, Toba Tek Singh, Bhakkar and Mian Wali. |
| Multan | Multan. Vehari, Khanewal, Layyah, Muzzafargarh, Lodhran, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Burewala |
| Peshawar | Peshawar, Malakand, Buner, Nowshera, Charsadda, Khyber, Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Shangla and Swat, Mardan, Swabi |
| Abbotabad | Abbottabad, Kohistan, TorGhar, Batagram, Haripur, Mansehra |
| D.I Khan | D.I Khan. Tank, Wazirabad, North Waziristan, Bannu, LakkiMarwat, Kohat |
| Karachi | Karachi East, Karachi West, Karachi South, Karachi Central Malir, Korangi |
| Sukkur | Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Ghotki, Shikarpur and Qambar |
| Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Matiari, Badin, Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar, Thatta, Umerkot, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Nawab Shah and Sanghar |
| Quetta | Quetta, Musakhel, Sherani, Sibi,Lehri, Harnai, Chagai, Killa Saifullah, Loralai, Ziarat, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur |
| Gwadar | Panjgur, Gwadar, Kech, Kalat, Mastung, Kharan Washuk, Khuzdar and Lasbela |
| Gilgit | Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Baltistan, Chanche, Astore and Diamir. |
If you have been the victim of a cybercrime in Pakistan, you are free to complain and have several options for reporting the incident. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is responsible for handling these cases, and they offer multiple ways to file a complaint like through FIA website, email, phone numbers or via application. In this thorough article, our Tashheer research team covers all the methods and details to file a complaint against cybercrime in Pakistan. Simply submitting a report online doesn’t mean that your job is over. It is important to get regular updates on how far your complaint application has progressed. If you ever feel or sense that your matter is not being taken seriously, then either complain to the Senior Level of the same department or to the Wafaqi Mohtasib.
Alishba Zaheer is the lead content writer at Tashheer Digital and has a genuine passion for storytelling. With her team of skillful content writers, her expertise lies in the ability to seamlessly adapt writing style to various niches, checking new trends in Tech, especially in Pakistan. She stays ahead of the curve and maintains her dedication to writing excellence. Among other things, she has been instrumental in researching local brands, Pakistani products, and services, providing benchmark articles for Pakistani audiences.
