LAHORE (Web Desk) – The Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCIA), Khurram Ali, has warned of a significant rise in WhatsApp and bank account hacking cases across Pakistan, saying authorities have prepared a comprehensive action plan to tackle the growing threat.
Speaking to the media, Khurram Ali announced that the agency will soon launch a dedicated helpline to assist victims of WhatsApp hacking by helping them recover compromised accounts and providing guidance on cybercrime-related issues.
He said the NCIA will also launch a public awareness campaign in collaboration with Meta, using local languages to educate citizens on protecting themselves from online fraud and cyber scams.
According to the NCIA chief, the promotion of two-step verification has helped reduce some WhatsApp hacking incidents, but cybercriminals have continued to adopt new methods to target users.
Khurram Ali said the increasing use of the internet and smartphones has contributed to a broader rise in online fraud and cybercrime across the country.
He added that several cybercrime gangs operating in Pakistan have been arrested through international cooperation, while authorities are also working on measures to prevent the misuse of one-time passwords (OTPs) using advanced technology.
The NCIA chief urged the public never to share OTP codes received on their mobile phones, warning that doing so remains one of the leading causes of WhatsApp and bank account compromises.
He also advised citizens to adopt security measures to better protect their WhatsApp accounts and banking information from cyber threats.