NCCIA has devised a comprehensive strategy to curb WhatsApp-related cybercrime
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 18th, 2026) National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Director General Khurram Ali has warned that sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) remains the leading cause of WhatsApp account hacking, as cybercrime incidents continue to increase across Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, NCCIA Chief Khurram Ali said complaints involving compromised WhatsApp and bank accounts had risen significantly.
In response, the agency has devised a comprehensive strategy to curb WhatsApp-related cybercrime.
He announced that the NCCIA is establishing a dedicated helpline to assist victims in recovering hacked accounts. The agency is also preparing a nationwide awareness campaign in collaboration with Meta, which will educate users about online safety in local languages.
Ali urged the public to activate two-step verification on their WhatsApp accounts and stressed that verification codes and OTPs should never be shared with anyone.
He said the disclosure of OTPs remains the Primary method used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access to WhatsApp accounts, adding that the agency is also developing technological solutions to prevent the misuse of verification codes.
The NCCIA chief noted that the rapid growth in internet and smartphone usage had contributed to a broader increase in cybercrime, including online financial fraud. He said several organised cybercrime groups operating in Pakistan had been dismantled with the help of international cooperation and advised citizens to adopt stronger cybersecurity practices to protect both their messaging and banking accounts.
Referring to an operation carried out in May, Ali said the NCCIA had broken up an organised network in South Punjab involved in selling sensitive personal information for small sums of money. Four suspects were arrested during the crackdown.
He added that investigations revealed the group had been leaking and trading confidential data related to prominent individuals, while some insiders from various institutions were also found to have facilitated unauthorised access to sensitive information.
