A man in Islamabad lost Rs 92,500 in a phone scam where the caller impersonated Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and demanded an immediate e-challan payment. The incident, reported from the Sehala area, highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals in exploiting personal and financial data to commit fraud. Scammers are using urgency and intimidation tactics to pressure victims into paying without verifying the legitimacy of the claims.
According to the victim, the caller claimed an e-challan had been issued in his name and demanded a fine of Rs 500 be paid immediately. The caller appeared to have detailed personal information, including the victim’s CNIC number, mobile numbers, and information about his bank accounts, including which account had the highest balance. By using this knowledge, the fraudster attempted to coerce the victim into paying from his largest bank account, creating a high-pressure scenario that is common in modern phone scams.
Acting cautiously, the victim instead used his EasyPaisa account to pay Rs 500, not realizing that the fraudster had set up the transaction to extract the full account balance. Within moments, Rs 92,500 was transferred out, leaving the account empty. Although the initial payment was small, the scam resulted in a significant financial loss and illustrates how criminals exploit detailed personal data to maximize fraud impact. Experts warn that the ability of scammers to access extensive personal and banking information increases the risk of such incidents.
Authorities and cybersecurity specialists advise citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing CNIC numbers, bank account details, OTPs, or verification codes over the phone. Users are encouraged to verify any claims from authorities through official channels before making payments or sharing sensitive information. This incident serves as a reminder of the growing risks of digital and phone-based financial fraud and the importance of maintaining strict caution when handling personal and banking data in Pakistan’s increasingly digital economy.
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