Pakistani authorities have launched what is being described as the largest-ever crackdown on cyber scammers and illegal call centers in Asia.
The sweeping operation, known as Operation Grey, has been underway for the past five days in Punjab and is being closely monitored by the highest levels of government.
Due to the scale and complexity of the network — which includes individuals from more than ten countries — Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are being kept informed of every significant development.
Officials confirmed that, for the first time, investigators recovered Bitcoin from the cryptocurrency wallets of suspects taken into custody. In total, more than Rs. 50 million in foreign currency has been seized so far.
The operation is being led by Additional Director of Operations Aamir Nadeer from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) headquarters in Islamabad. Teams from both the Islamabad and Rawalpindi circles are actively participating in the raids.
Foreign nationals arrested during the operation include individuals from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, and other countries.
Authorities have decided to register formal cases against the ringleaders, while the rest of the detained foreign nationals are expected to be deported.
A senior NCCIA official said the operation will be expanded nationwide after the Eid holidays, targeting illegal call centers operating across Pakistan. These include centers operating without licenses and those suspected of being involved in cyber fraud and financial scams.