NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent call centres pose to the reputation of legitimate Pakistani tech businesses, as well as to the country at large. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency said it had picked up 61 suspects from a call centre in Rawalpindi that was allegedly running foreign loan recovery scams. Earlier, the NCCIA had busted what it claimed were two call centres in Karachi owned by the same organisation. Apparently, these centres were involved in credit card scams targeting Americans. Over 50 people had been rounded up in that raid. Similar action at a dubious call centre in Islamabad a week ago resulted in over 200 people being taken into custody. Meanwhile, last year a raid at a facility in Faisalabad netted 149 people belonging to various nationalities.

Fraudulent call centres are big business; criminals can extort significant amounts of foreign currency from unsuspecting victims abroad. The fraudsters offer Ponzi schemes, financial products, fake tech support and other `services`, through which they gain access to the victims` financial and other sensitive data.

They also target individuals in Pakistan, of ten impersonating bank employees, government officials, or security personnel.

Pakistan is not alone as these criminal outfits are active in other countries too. In fact, India is considered as the `epicentre` of the fake call centre industry. Reported raids in different cities show that the state is aware of the threat these rackets pose.

Pakistan`s campaign against fraudulent call centres must continue. While genuine call centres and tech businesses must not be harassed, outfits involved in shady dealings and questionable financial transactions must be investigated and prosecuted. And while rounding up employees and small fry associated with these criminal rings may disrupt their operations, it is the masterminds behind these concerns that need to be brought to justice. The NCCIA head has said that `indiscriminate and vigorous operations` will be carried out against those involved in cyber fraud. It is hoped that the state keeps a vigilant eye on those engaged in these rackets as they use the latest technology to perpetuate fraud.