ISLAMABAD - The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested a man in Taxila for allegedly impersonating Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal to defraud senior government officials, in what investigators describe as part of a long-running pattern of organised impersonation and financial fraud.
The suspect, identified as Ghazanfar Ishaq, was arrested during a raid conducted by an NCCIA team led by Sub-Inspector Babar Ali, who is also investigating the case. Officials said the accused is suspected of operating a series of fraud schemes by posing as senior public office-holders and using mobile phones and social media platforms to deceive victims.
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On Monday, a judicial magistrate granted the NCCIA a further two-day physical remand of the accused, allowing investigators to continue forensic analysis of seized electronic devices and pursue additional recoveries before presenting him again on July 15. According to investigators, Ghazanfar allegedly used several mobile phone and WhatsApp numbers registered in his own name to impersonate Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and solicit money from government officials.
One of the complainants, investigators said, was Noor Hakim, Director of the National Telecommunication Corporation in Peshawar, who allegedly received calls from a person falsely claiming to be the country’s top civil servant. Investigators alleged that money obtained through the scheme was transferred to a UPaisa mobile wallet account registered in the name of Safdar Shah, a method they believe was intended to conceal the financial trail. During the investigation, NCCIA officials recovered four mobile phones from the accused, including devices with allegedly tampered International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, which investigators believe were used to disguise his identity while making fraudulent calls. Officials told the court that digital forensic examination of the seized devices remained under way and that additional recoveries were expected. They said further inquiries linked to the accused were also pending.
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According to investigators, the suspect has previously been nominated in fraud-related cases registered in Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Bhakkar, Wah Cantt and Lahore. They alleged that those cases involved a similar pattern of impersonation and deception, which they believe indicates repeated criminal conduct rather than an isolated incident.
Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Abbas Shah, after hearing the investigating officer’s submissions, approved the NCCIA’s request for a further two-day physical remand and directed investigators to produce the accused before the court again on July 15. The NCCIA said the investigation remains in progress, with digital forensic analysis expected to determine whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a wider fraud network targeting public officials.