LAHORE: In a major step to combat rising cybercrime and online financial fraud, the Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) is set to launch province-wide operations against criminal networks operating through electronic devices and digital platforms. The crackdown is expected to begin this week following written orders from higher authorities, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Additional Inspector General of Police CCD Sohail Zafar Chatha told Daily Jang that the department has received verbal approval to act against criminals involved in technology enabled financial fraud. “We have been given a clear mandate to investigate and take action against individuals and organised groups who defraud citizens using mobile phones, fake applications, and online platforms. The written orders are expected within this week, and operations will begin immediately,” he said.
The CCD’s authority comes under the Police Order (Amendment) Act 2025. Article 18C, read with Sub-Article 17, defines serious or organised crime as offences committed using modern technology or electronic devices that cause financial, social, or public harm. This provision empowers the department to investigate, register cases, seize evidence, and arrest offenders involved in organised cyber and financial crimes.
Established earlier this year to tackle organised criminal activities, the CCD initially focused on drug trafficking, smuggling, armed robbery, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and violent inter-district gangs. With the rise of cybercrime, its mandate has been expanded to include online fraud, digital harassment, financial scams, and other technology-driven offences. Officials say the department now operates specialised units equipped with digital forensics tools, advanced surveillance technology, and trained personnel capable of investigating high-tech crimes.
“Cyber fraud is no longer a minor issue; it is affecting citizens from all walks of life, including salaried workers, business owners, and social support beneficiaries. Sophisticated criminal networks are deceiving people online and causing significant financial losses,” Mr Chatha said. “This operation is designed to dismantle these networks and recover stolen funds wherever possible.”
Experts say the expansion of CCD’s powers signals a shift in law enforcement strategy, acknowledging that criminals are increasingly using technology to carry out organised and large-scale offences. “By integrating cybercrime investigations with traditional policing, the CCD can address modern criminal threats more effectively,” said a legal analyst familiar with the Police Order Amendment Act.
Government officials have also highlighted the broader significance of the move. A senior Punjab Home Department official said, “This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to protecting citizens from all forms of crime, whether physical or digital. Organised cybercriminals have exploited gaps in technology regulation, and this legal empowerment gives police the tools needed to act decisively.”
The upcoming operation, according to CCD sources, will involve monitoring online transactions, identifying fraudulent digital platforms, tracking suspects, and coordinating with banks and technology firms to freeze and recover stolen assets. Authorities emphasised that the department will also launch awareness campaigns to educate citizens about common scams and safe online practices.
“The message is clear: whether it is a traditional criminal gang or a digital fraud network, the CCD will act with full legal authority,” Mr Chatha said. “We aim to restore public trust and ensure that technology is not misused to exploit citizens.”
The move comes amid increasing reports of cyber fraud across Pakistan, including fake investment schemes, phishing attacks, fraudulent online marketplaces, and identity theft. By leveraging the new legal powers under Article 18C and Sub-Article 17, the CCD is expected to become a central agency in tackling modern organised crime in Punjab.
Officials said this operation marks a new era of law enforcement in the province, combining traditional policing, cyber intelligence, and legal authority to confront evolving criminal threats. Citizens are being urged to report any suspicious digital activity to the authorities as part of a coordinated effort to eliminate online fraud.
