According to recent statistical data, financial fraud, fake profiles, harassment, hacking, and defamation are the fastest growing cybercrimes in Pakistan. In 2023, financial fraud was the most reported type of online crime in Pakistan, out of 84,764 complaints, 20,218 people reported being victims of financial fraud. This numbering was more than hacking (7,966), cyber harassment (6,023), and cyber defamation (6,004).
The Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) follows the laws in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 that help tackle cybercrimes which are becoming more common. The CCW started in 2007 to stop people from misusing technology. It is the only unit in Pakistan that deals directly with cybercrime complaints and takes legal action against cybercriminals. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled all the methods and details to file a complaint against cybercrime in Pakistan. If you are interested in knowing about Top Cyber Security Consulting Companies in Pakistan then read our detailed article on it to get complete details about the organizations and their offerings.
What Is Cyber Crime?
Cyber Crime is an illegal activity that either targets or uses a computer network, a networked device or a computer itself. In Pakistan, most Cyber Crimes is committed by local hackers and cybercriminals who want to make money. Usually, it includes a wide range of illegal activities like identity theft, phishing, malware distribution, online fraud, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, etc.
Types of Cyber Crimes
Cybercriminals find weak points and take benefit of these security holes and vulnerabilities found in any system and exploit them to take a position inside the targeted environment. Security holes can be a result of using weak passwords and authentication methods, it can also occur due to the lack of strict security policies and models.
Cybercrime is usually classified into 4 types, that include:
Individual Cyber Crimes
Organization Cyber Crimes
Property Cyber Crimes
Society Cyber Crimes
Major Categories of Cyber Crime
The most common activities that fall under Cyber crime may include:
How Do Cyber Crime Complaints Work?
In Pakistan, you can file your complaint through different methods. After complaint registration, you can track your complaint easily. If you submit your complaint in person, it will be processed immediately and you will receive a complaint number. If you submit complaints, they will processed it within a week and if you submit your complaints via email, it will be registered within 8-10 days by your cybercrime circle.
If you want to register a complain on PCP, then read our complete guide on it: How to Register Your Complaint on Pakistan Citizen Portal: An Easy Guide to Use PCP
If you are a victim, then you can follow the below instructions to register a cyber-crime in Pakistan
- You can register your complaint against cybercrimes by filling out a form online. Go to their URL and submit your application online through www.nr3c.gov.pk/creport.php
- You can also register your complaints against any cybercrime with email. Write an application with all required details and your complete credentials (Name, CNIC, Address, and Contact No.) and email it to this email address: helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk
- You can register your complaints against cybercrimes by writing a hard-copy application. Write an application with all details and your complete credentials (Name, Phone No., Address, CNIC, and incident details) and send that application to the following address: Director NR3C-FIA, National Police Foundation Building, 2nd Floor, G-10/4, Mauve Area, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Another way to Register a cybercrime Complaint is by Walking to the NR3C Regional office. Simply visit any of the regional offices of NR3C and register your complaint in person.
Method of Filing a Cyber Crime Complaint on FIA Online Form or Email
Registering a complaint with FIA’s cybercrime wing is very straightforward and even does not require you to go anywhere.
Necessary Complaint Details
When filing your complaint, you will need to provide some basic information, including:
How to Track Your Cyber Crime Complaint?
You can email them at helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk or contact them at 051-9106384, 051-9106690, 051-9106691, or 1991 for any queries or to track your cyber crime complaint. If you email them, expect a reply within 24 hours or if you send it via fax, it might take up to 7 days to receive a response by mail. they will give you a tracking number so you can check your complaint’s status later on. After registering your complaint, verification will be carried out in 12-14 days while an investigation authority has 90 days to finalize your complaint. So, as per the Pakistani rules, action on your complaint will be taken within these 90 days of inquiry.
You can find your complaint according to the jurisdiction of your area, listed as:
| Cyber Crime Reporting Centers | Area of Jurisdiction ( District ) |
|---|---|
| Islamabad | Islamabad (Islamabad capital territory) |
| Rawalpindi | Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal |
| Gujranwala | Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Narowal, Sialkot, Gujrat, Mandi Bahadduldin |
| Lahore | Lahore, Sheikhupura. Sahiwal, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Okara and Pakpattan, Haveli Lakha, Renala Khurd. |
| Faisalabad | Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang. Sargodha, Khushab, Toba Tek Singh, Bhakkar and Mian Wali. |
| Multan | Multan. Vehari, Khanewal, Layyah, Muzzafargarh, Lodhran, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Burewala |
| Peshawar | Peshawar, Malakand, Buner, Nowshera, Charsadda, Khyber, Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Shangla and Swat, Mardan, Swabi |
| Abbotabad | Abbottabad, Kohistan, TorGhar, Batagram, Haripur, Mansehra |
| D.I Khan | D.I Khan. Tank, Wazirabad, North Waziristan, Bannu, LakkiMarwat, Kohat |
| Karachi | Karachi East, Karachi West, Karachi South, Karachi Central Malir, Korangi |
| Sukkur | Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Ghotki, Shikarpur and Qambar |
| Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Matiari, Badin, Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar, Thatta, Umerkot, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Nawab Shah and Sanghar |
| Quetta | Quetta, Musakhel, Sherani, Sibi,Lehri, Harnai, Chagai, Killa Saifullah, Loralai, Ziarat, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur |
| Gwadar | Panjgur, Gwadar, Kech, Kalat, Mastung, Kharan Washuk, Khuzdar and Lasbela |
| Gilgit | Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Baltistan, Chanche, Astore and Diamir. |
Final Words
If you have been the victim of a cybercrime in Pakistan, you are free to complain and have several options for reporting the incident. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is responsible for handling these cases, and they offer multiple ways to file a complaint like through FIA website, email, phone numbers or via application. In this thorough article, our Tashheer research team covers all the methods and details to file a complaint against cybercrime in Pakistan. Simply submitting a report online doesn’t mean that your job is over. It is important to get regular updates on how far your complaint application has progressed. If you ever feel or sense that your matter is not being taken seriously, then either complain to the Senior Level of the same department or to the Wafaqi Mohtasib.
About the Author: Alishba
