LAHORE (Bureau Report)
The Punjab government has decided to grant the Crime Control Department (CCD) the authority to take action against organized groups involved in looting citizens through online platforms and electronic devices. The decision comes in response to a sharp increase in online fraud cases, in which innocent people are being deprived of their lifelong savings.
According to official sources, salaried individuals, business owners, and even beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme have become easy targets of these criminal networks. The fraudsters use various digital means to deceive victims and, in some cases, are also involved in short-term kidnappings for ransom. Despite the seriousness of these crimes, many cases reportedly go unregistered.
Under the new mandate, the CCD will carry out comprehensive operations against such criminals, who have accumulated assets worth billions of rupees through online fraud. Legal action will also be initiated to seize and confiscate properties owned by those involved in organized cybercrime.
The Punjab government’s decision follows the recent successful and historic operations conducted by the CCD against drug traffickers. Authorities believe that empowering the CCD will help protect the public’s hard-earned money and curb the growing menace of online and electronic fraud across the province.