Cybercrime is becoming increasingly common in Pakistan.
Online fraud, blackmail, fake social media accounts, harassment, hacking and financial scams can cause serious harm.

Many people, however, do not know where to report a cybercrime.

If you are a victim of a cybercrime in Pakistan, you can report the matter to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

In this guide, we explain the process in simple words.

What is NCCIA?

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is the federal agency responsible for dealing with cybercrime offences in Pakistan.

Following the 2025 amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), NCCIA is the authorised law-enforcement agency for inquiries, investigations and prosecutions under PECA.

NCCIA deals with different types of cybercrime.

These may include:

• Online financial fraud
• Online scams
• Fake social media accounts
• Cyber harassment
• Blackmail
• Hacking
• Identity theft
• Unauthorised access to accounts or systems
• Online threats
• Misuse of private information
• Other offences committed through electronic means

The exact offence depends on the facts of each case.

Step 1: Preserve Your Evidence

This is one of the most important steps.

Do not delete your messages.

Do not block the accused before preserving the relevant evidence, unless there is a good reason to do so.

Keep copies of:

• WhatsApp conversations
• SMS messages
• Emails
• Screenshots
• Voice messages
• Call records
• Social media profiles
• Facebook or Instagram URLs
• Phone numbers
• Bank transaction records
• Easypaisa or JazzCash receipts
• Payment screenshots
• Photographs and videos
• Documents sent by the accused
• Website links
• Usernames and account IDs

Try to preserve the original evidence, not just screenshots.

For example, if someone defrauded you through WhatsApp, keep the complete conversation. Do not only save the messages where money was requested.

Step 2: Prepare Your Written Complaint

The next step is to prepare a written application.

Your complaint should explain what happened in chronological order.

Keep the language simple.

Mention:

Who contacted you.

When they contacted you.

How they contacted you.

What they said or did.

How the offence was committed.

How much money you lost, if there was a financial loss.

What evidence you have.

Also provide the available details of the accused.

This can include their:

• Name
• CNIC number, if known
• Mobile number
• WhatsApp number
• Social media account
• Email address
• Bank account
• Easypaisa/JazzCash account
• Address
• Any other identifying information

You do not need to know everything about the accused before making a complaint.

Provide whatever information you have.

Step 3: Keep Your CNIC and Evidence Ready

According to NCCIA, a formal complaint should include:

1. A written application.
2. A copy of your CNIC.
3. Copies of relevant evidence.

NCCIA also provides an official complaint proforma in English and Urdu.

Step 4: Submit the Complaint

There are several ways to report a cybercrime.

You can submit a complaint through the official NCCIA online complaint form.

NCCIA Online Complaint Form

You can also report the matter through the Pakistan Citizen Portal or email NCCIA.

However, there is an important point.

If you want to make a formal complaint for investigation, NCCIA states that you should visit the nearest Cybercrime Reporting Centre (CCRC).

The agency also states that the complainant must appear in person for verification.

NCCIA Office in Multan

For people living in Multan and surrounding areas, NCCIA has a reporting office in Multan.

The official NCCIA website currently lists the Multan office at:

House No. 06, Street-3, Shalimar Town, Bosan Town, Multan.

The listed telephone number is +92 61 9330999.

Because office locations and contact details can change, it is sensible to check the official NCCIA website before visiting.

NCCIA Offices and Contact Details

Step 5: Submit Your Evidence

Take your evidence with you.

Depending on the case, this may include your mobile phone, laptop or other electronic device.

For example, in an online fraud case, you may need to show:

• The original WhatsApp conversation
• Payment receipts
• Bank statements
• The accused person’s phone number
• Social media accounts
• Voice messages
• Screenshots

NCCIA has digital-forensics capabilities for examining electronic evidence.

Do not edit or manipulate evidence.

Step 6: Get Proof of Your Complaint

Always keep proof that you submitted your complaint.

Keep:

• A copy of your application
• Receiving or acknowledgment
• Complaint/reference number
• Copies of your evidence
• Details of the officer dealing with the matter

This can become very important later.

What Happens After You File the Complaint?

This is where many people become confused.

Submitting an online form does not necessarily mean that the accused will immediately be arrested.

The matter first needs to be examined.

NCCIA may assess the information provided by the complainant.

It may verify the allegations.

It may examine the available electronic evidence.

It may also conduct further inquiry and investigation.

Investigation by NCCIA

If the matter falls within NCCIA’s jurisdiction and discloses a cybercrime offence, the agency can investigate the case.

Depending on the circumstances, investigators may examine:

• Mobile phones
• Computers
• Social media accounts
• Phone numbers
• Digital communications
• Financial transactions
• Electronic records
• Other digital evidence

The purpose is to establish what happened and identify the person responsible.

Can NCCIA Trace the Accused?

Sometimes it can.

But this depends on the evidence and circumstances of the case.

For example, having a WhatsApp number does not automatically mean that the owner of that number is legally responsible for the offence.

Investigators may need additional evidence.

This is why a well-prepared complaint is important.

What About Financial Fraud?

Online financial fraud is one of the most common cybercrime complaints.

If someone has taken your money through an online scam, preserve all financial evidence.

This includes:

• Bank statements
• IBFT receipts
• Easypaisa/JazzCash records
• Account numbers
• Transaction IDs
• Screenshots
• WhatsApp messages
• Voice messages
• Agreements or promises made online

Do not wait several months before reporting the matter.

The sooner the complaint is made, the easier it may be to preserve useful evidence.

What If NCCIA Does Not Take Action?

Sometimes a complainant may face delay or may disagree with the way a complaint has been handled.

In such circumstances, do not simply abandon the matter.

A lawyer can review the facts and advise you about the appropriate legal remedy.

Depending on the circumstances, further proceedings before the competent court may be available.

The correct remedy depends on the nature of the offence and the stage of the investigation.

What If the Victim Lives Outside Pakistan?

NCCIA states that an overseas Pakistani can nominate a focal person in Pakistan.

The focal person may be a relative or legal counsel.

The nominated person can pursue the matter before a Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Pakistan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Deleting the conversation

Do not delete important chats.

2. Relying only on screenshots

Keep the original device and original electronic evidence where possible.

3. Giving an unclear statement

Explain the incident in chronological order.

4. Making allegations without evidence

Only state facts that you can support.

5. Waiting too long

Digital evidence can disappear.

Accounts can be deleted.

Messages can be removed.

The sooner you report the matter, the better.

6. Confronting the accused unnecessarily

Once you have preserved the evidence, consider taking legal advice before further communication.

Your additional messages could sometimes complicate the situation.

Do You Need a Lawyer to File an NCCIA Complaint?

Not necessarily.

A victim can submit a complaint personally.

However, cybercrime cases can involve complicated questions.

For example:

Which section of PECA applies?

What evidence is important?

Is the matter purely criminal, or is there also a civil claim?

What should be requested from the investigating agency?

What should you do if the investigation does not progress?

For complicated cases, obtaining legal advice before filing the complaint can help you present the case properly.

Final Advice

If you have become a victim of an online scam, fraud, harassment, blackmail or another cybercrime, do not panic.

First, preserve your evidence.

Second, prepare a clear written complaint.

Third, submit it to NCCIA through the appropriate channel.

Fourth, keep proof of your complaint.

Finally, follow up on the investigation.

A cybercrime complaint is not simply about submitting screenshots.

A properly prepared complaint should tell the investigator what happened, who was involved, how the electronic means were used, what loss or harm occurred, and what evidence can prove it.

At Chenab Solicitors, we believe that good legal advice starts with understanding the problem clearly.

If you are in Multan or South Punjab and need assistance with a cybercrime complaint, our lawyers can review the facts, help identify the relevant legal provisions, organise the available evidence and advise you on the appropriate legal procedure.

Chenab Solicitors Litigation isn’t always the best option. Honest advice is.