honeytrap cyber blackmail
| |

Honey-trap, cyber blackmail ring busted as 3 arres…

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested three suspected members of a honey-trap and cyber blackmailing network during a raid in Multan, officials said.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the suspects allegedly used fake identities on social media to establish contact with unsuspecting citizens before moving conversations to WhatsApp. They would then use video calls to obtain private pictures and videos, which were allegedly used to threaten victims and extort money from them.

The operation was carried out on the special directions of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem. Acting on intelligence, an NCCIA Lahore team raided a house in Basti Saleh Mahaye, near Nawabpur Road in Multan, and arrested Dil Hassan, Umar Saeed and Umair Hassan.

Initial investigations suggest that the suspects had allegedly collected millions of rupees from victims through the same method. Investigators have also secured evidence relating to financial transactions and money transfers as part of the probe.

Three mobile phones were recovered during the raid. The agency said an initial forensic examination revealed several WhatsApp accounts, photographs, videos and other potentially significant digital evidence. A detailed forensic analysis is now under way.

During questioning, investigators also came across the names of Muhammad Farhan, Sohail alias Loli, Zahid Haraj and Shahid Haraj, along with several other individuals. Their alleged involvement and possible links to the network are being examined.

The NCCIA is now working to identify additional members of the suspected network, trace the social media accounts allegedly used in the scheme, follow the money trail and identify other potential victims.

NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem said operations against individuals involved in honey-trapping and cyber blackmailing would be intensified, stressing that those found involved would face legal action under the law.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Ghazi University, PMD and World Bank strengthen Hi…

    Dera Ghazi Khan: PMD, World Bank and Ghazi University Join Hands to Strengthen Hill Torrent Monitoring and Disaster Preparedness in Dera Ghazi Khan by establishment of State-of-the-Art Automatic Weather Station. A Major Milestone Towards Strengthening Weather Forecasting, Hill Torrent Monitoring and Community Resilience in Dera Ghazi Khan Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, has taken a significant step towards strengthening weather monitoring, disaster preparedness and climate resilience in the region through the establishment of a state-of-the-art Automatic Weather Station (AWS) under the World Bank-supported Modernization of Hydromet Services of PMD in Pakistan Project (MHSP). The initiative, being implemented by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) with support from the World Bank, aims to modernize Pakistan’s hydrometeorological observation network, enhance forecasting capabilities and improve climate service delivery. The project is expected to play a vital role in strengthening early warning systems and disaster preparedness, particularly in areas vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate-related hazards. The proposed Automatic Weather Station at Ghazi University will provide real-time, high-resolution meteorological data, significantly contributing to weather forecasting and the monitoring of weather conditions associated with hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan. Given the region’s vulnerability to flash floods and hill torrents, the installation represents an important step towards improving early warning capabilities and protecting communities, livelihoods and infrastructure. Under Phase-I of the MHSP, a total of 110 Automatic Weather Stations are being installed across Pakistan, including 25 stations in Punjab. These stations will expand the country’s real-time weather observation network and provide reliable meteorological data to support forecasting, research, disaster risk reduction and climate-resilience planning. A project team recently visited Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, where it held a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad. During the visit, the team conducted a comprehensive assessment of the proposed site, finalized the location for installation of the Automatic Weather Station, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formally designating Ghazi University as an AWS installation site. The visiting delegation comprised Mr. Hassan Shafiq, Environment & Social Safeguards Consultant, World Bank; Dr. M. Yasir, Hydrology Consultant; Mr. Abdul Aziz, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre Lahore, Pakistan Meteorological Department; and Mr. Sajid Hussain, Meteorologist, PMD. The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Sagheer Atta, Director ORIC, Ghazi University. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad expressed the university’s strong commitment to supporting the initiative and emphasized the importance of establishing an Automatic Weather Station at Ghazi University. He stated that the facility would not only strengthen real-time weather monitoring and forecasting in Dera Ghazi Khan but would also significantly enhance the monitoring and early warning of hill torrents, helping improve disaster preparedness and protect local communities from potential hazards. He described this contribution as an important form of community service, particularly for vulnerable populations in the hill-torrent-prone areas of the region. The station will also create valuable opportunities for research, academic collaboration, student training and practical learning in meteorology, hydrology, climate science and related disciplines.

  • |

    Why people are belting Disney tunes at smart-glasses wearers

    If you suspect someone is secretly filming you with smart glasses, the internet has come up with an unusual defence. People are being told to start singing a Disney song out loud. The idea is not that singing will actually stop the recording itself. Instead, it relies on platforms’ copyright detection systems flagging the music and quietly taking the video down. Most major platforms scan uploaded videos for any copyrighted audio in the background. If a clip contains protected music, it typically gets muted, deleted, or in rarer cases, flagged for legal action. Copyright protection applies to lyrics, composition and melody alike, which means even a rough, off-key rendition can trigger removal. That loophole is exactly what people online are now trying to exploit. This trick has already spread across social media, with people from different countries picking it up. Reactions online have mostly ranged from disbelief to outright frustration at the whole situation. Many users have pointed out the irony that copyrighted music seems to receive stronger legal protection online than personal privacy does. Being filmed without consent, by comparison, often leaves people with far fewer options. Copyright law tends to apply fairly consistently across different countries, but privacy law is a different story entirely. It varies significantly from place to place, leaving many people, especially women, without a reliable way to get unwanted footage removed. The debate has grown louder alongside the rising popularity of smart glasses in everyday life. Meta’s Ray-Ban models have become the clear frontrunner in this fast-growing product category. As more people walk around with cameras built into their glasses, old arguments about filming strangers without consent have resurfaced. The devices have made it easier than ever to record someone without them even realising it. Meta has responded by saying it takes non-consensual filming seriously as a company. It has also made changes to the indicator light that shows when the glasses are actively recording. The company added that it has been removing certain types of content it considers harassment. This includes unsolicited, “pick-up line” style videos aimed at strangers without their consent.

  • |

    Romania expands brown bear cull as critics highlight enforcement gaps

    Romania’s parliament has voted to double the annual hunting quota for brown bears to nearly 900 animals in an effort to manage Europe’s largest population outside Russia, which is estimated at between 10,000 and 13,000. The legislation aims to curb an increasing frequency of human-bear encounters driven by urban sprawl, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Human deaths caused by bear attacks in Romania have reached nearly 30 over the past two decades, with animals regularly entering mountain towns to scavenge for food. Conservationists and wildlife experts argue the expanded culling quota will fail to solve urban encroachment because trophy hunters target large animals deep within forests. Critics maintain that existing safety measures, including fines for tourists feeding wildlife, subsidised electric fencing, and proper municipal waste management, are not being sufficiently enforced. In addition to state-sanctioned culls, local municipal authorities retain legal powers granted in 2021 to shoot individual bears that intrude directly into private residential properties.

  • | |

    Three suspected robbers killed in Karachi police e…

    KARACHI: Three suspected robbers were killed during a police encounter in the Umar Brohi Goth area of Gulshan-e-Maymar, Karachi, police said. According to officials, the suspects had taken shelter inside a house. Acting on information about their presence, police reached the location and launched an operation. The suspects allegedly opened fire at the police team, prompting officers to return fire. Three suspects sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange. Police shifted them to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, but all three reportedly died while en route. Police identified the deceased suspects as Suresh, Ramchand and Anil. Authorities said the three men were allegedly involved in several criminal activities, and investigators are now collecting details of their previous criminal records to determine their involvement in other cases. A police officer also suffered injuries during the encounter and received medical treatment at a hospital. Officials said the investigation into the incident remains underway. Meanwhile, police carried out operations in other parts of Karachi and arrested five more suspected robbers. Authorities said further investigations are in progress, while efforts continue to trace and apprehend other suspects involved in street crime and robbery cases across the city.

  • | |

    PTI rejects AJK polls, demands probe into killings

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday rejected the recently concluded Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, alleging that the electoral process lacked transparency and calling for an independent investigation into the killings and violence reported during the polls. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and former AJK prime minister Sardar Qayyum Niazi accused the authorities of suppressing public opinion and said the events surrounding the elections had damaged both democracy and the Kashmir cause. Niazi said the people of Kashmir had a long history of supporting Pakistan and deserved to have their voices heard through a free and fair electoral process. He alleged that peaceful protesters had faced excessive force despite demonstrating without violence. “They remained peaceful even while facing bullets and batons,” he said, adding that the government should have engaged in dialogue rather than confrontation. Questioning the decision to conduct polling in three phases, Niazi argued that AJK’s relatively small population did not justify such an arrangement. He contrasted the process with Pakistan’s nationwide elections, saying the phased schedule had raised serious questions among voters. PTI Chairman Gohar described the July 27 elections as “a fraud” and maintained that democracy could not function if citizens were prevented from expressing their views through peaceful protest. He said public grievances should be addressed through dialogue instead of force. The PTI chief also criticised major political parties, accusing them of politicising the post-election situation instead of focusing on the concerns of the people. According to Gohar, the low voter turnout reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the existing political system. He further claimed that the election results had failed to inspire public confidence and urged all stakeholders to prioritise transparency, accountability and democratic values. Calling for an impartial inquiry, PTI demanded that those responsible for the reported killings and use of force be identified and held accountable. Party leaders said an independent investigation was necessary to establish the facts, ensure justice for affected families and restore public trust in democratic institutions. The party concluded by urging authorities to avoid further escalation and resolve political disputes through dialogue, warning that prolonged instability in AJK could undermine both democratic credibility and Pakistan’s longstanding position on the Kashmir issue.

  • |

    Zendaya praises Tom Holland’s real-life dedication to Spider-Man

    Zendaya has opened up about what she admires most in Tom Holland’s take on Spider-Man, pointing to how he handles the role once the cameras stop rolling. Speaking alongside Holland in a joint sit-down with Rotten Tomatoes, the actress, who plays his on-screen love interest MJ, said her favourite part of his portrayal has nothing to do with action scenes or costumes. Instead, she pointed to how seriously he takes the character in everyday life, especially around fans who see him as more than just an actor. She explained that countless people, particularly kids, form a deep bond with Peter Parker, and Holland has managed to carry that responsibility with genuine grace. According to Zendaya, he never loses sight of what the role means to young admirers who look up to him. She went further, telling Holland directly that stepping into the suit comes with real weight because, for those children, he does not just play Spider-Man, he becomes him in their eyes. Zendaya said watching how he embraces that role beyond the screen is something she genuinely admires about her husband. The comments come shortly after Holland reflected on the pressure of stepping back into Peter Parker’s shoes for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a film that went on to earn a massive $927 million at the global box office. Talking to Kino TV, Holland admitted that the success of his earlier Spider-Man outings and his run in the Avengers franchise made him fully grasp how much the character meant to audiences worldwide. He revealed that he felt more nervous returning to set this time around than ever before. Despite those nerves, Holland said the experience turned out to be even more fulfilling, largely because of the pressure he put on himself to get it right. He credited that anxiety with pushing him to deliver a performance that matched the scale of what fans expected from him. Between Zendaya’s praise and Holland’s own reflections, it is clear the actor’s connection to Spider-Man runs far deeper than just another movie role for him.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *