ISLAMABAD: The FIA has recovered more than Rs42.5 million in a corruption case involving officers of NCCIA.
The largest recovery was made from Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, amounting to Rs11.29 million. In the Lahore case, cash and assets were seized from eight accused NCCIA officials.
In the Rawalpindi case, there are allegations of Rs300 million in bribes taken from illegal call centres. The FIA has submitted a report to Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology regarding recovery of bribe money allegedly taken by various NCCIA officers and personnel from illegal call centres.
According to the report, recoveries were made from deputy and assistant directors, junior officers, as well as a private individual.
The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore has registered a case. The Lahore case also includes allegations of receiving bribes from wife of a YouTuber’s brother.
Investigations are ongoing into allegations of bribery in exchange for facilitation in cybercrime cases.
According to investigators, the matter points to widespread corruption within NCCIA. The investigation has revealed a well-organised monthly bribery network operating within NCCIA Lahore.
Illegal payments were regularly collected from call centres, aggregator companies, and accused individuals. Allegations have also surfaced officers passed bribe money up to senior authorities.
The investigation further states hefty sums were paid for lucrative postings. In the Rawalpindi case, there are allegations of Rs300 million in bribes from illegal call centres. The FIR mentions providing legal protection to call centres of a private housing society.
A Chinese national, Guo Kashian alias Kelvin, has been declared a proclaimed offender in the case.
So far, only Rs1.5 million has been recovered in Rs300 million Rawalpindi case. The FIA has frozen bank accounts, initiated scrutiny of properties, and sent mobile phones for forensic examination.
Proceedings are underway to declare absconding suspects as proclaimed offenders and to block their national identity cards. The NCCIA has initiated departmental action against the accused, while the FIA has begun preparing an interim challan.
