More than 227,000 Pakistanis have reported losing a combined Rs. 8.32 billion to cyber fraud over the past three years, highlighting the growing threat posed by online scams and financial crimes across the country.
According to a report by The Express Tribune, which cited official documents, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) received 227,757 complaints from citizens who said fraudsters had taken their money through different types of cyber scams.
The official figures show that cyber fraud complaints remained at a significantly high level throughout the three-year period. The NCCIA recorded 83,080 complaints in 2024, followed by 76,646 complaints in 2025.
A further 68,031 complaints were recorded in the following year, bringing the total number of reported cases to 227,757.
The figures demonstrate the scale of financial losses suffered by individuals as digital transactions, online banking and internet-based services become increasingly common in Pakistan.
Cybercriminals use a variety of methods to target victims, including deceptive online offers, fraudulent calls and messages, fake investment schemes, impersonation and other techniques designed to obtain money or sensitive information.
The reported Rs. 8.32 billion loss also indicates that cyber fraud is not limited to isolated incidents. Thousands of people are being targeted, with individual victims potentially losing substantial amounts of money.
The high number of complaints places greater importance on public awareness and stronger cybersecurity practices. Users are generally advised to avoid sharing sensitive financial information, verify suspicious requests and remain cautious when dealing with unknown links, calls and online offers.
The NCCIA’s complaint figures provide an indication of the scale of cyber-enabled financial crime being reported in Pakistan. However, the actual number of incidents could be higher if victims who did not report their losses are also taken into account.
As Pakistan’s digital economy continues to expand, authorities face increasing pressure to strengthen mechanisms for investigating cybercrime, protecting online users and recovering funds lost through fraudulent activities.
The latest figures serve as a warning for internet and digital banking users to remain vigilant as cyber fraudsters continue to develop new methods to target unsuspecting victims.
