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Suspect posed as girl on social media to lure minors; case registered under PECA as probe links operation to dark web
RAWALPINDI:
Authorities have exposed a major network involved in producing, buying and selling obscene videos of children, arresting a key operative and recovering more than 600 videos.
The suspect, identified as Taimur Mahmood, a resident of Murree, was arrested from Rawalpindi by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA). According to authorities, he posed as a girl on social media to lure underage boys and then blackmailed them through obscene videos.
Read: LHC seeks govt response on plea to restrict social media use by children under 16
Data retrieved from Mahmood’s mobile phone revealed the sharing of videos and images of local and foreign children through various WhatsApp groups involving accomplices. Officials said Mahmood had been continuously blackmailing children through videos and was also involved in extorting money for various purposes.
A case has been registered against him and the administrators of the WhatsApp groups under the provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and the scope of the investigation has been expanded. Investigations have also been initiated regarding the suspect’s links to the dark web.
National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) officials said that a wide-ranging investigation of the suspect has begun, other individuals involved will soon be arrested, and facilitators are also being identified.
In a separate case earlier this month, the NCCIA conducted a raid on January 25 in Islamabad’s PWD area and arrested a suspect identified as Shoaib for allegedly circulating obscene videos of a minor.
Two mobile phones were recovered from his possession, which, according to authorities, contained additional videos involving children.
A case was registered against the suspect under PECA, while further investigations were said to be underway.
Read More: NCCIA arrests child exploitation suspect, busts Rs20m online fraud gang
Further, officials said that the seized mobile phones were sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed examination, with additional information expected to emerge from the analysis.
Notably, on January 30, the NCCIA launched an AI-enabled investigative tool to strengthen Pakistan’s ability to detect, prioritise and investigate online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The system, named Katalyst, was developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control and the UK-Pakistan Serious Crime and Law Enforcement (UPSCALE) Programme, funded by the British High Commission.
