Islamabad Citizen Loses Rs. 92,500 in Online Fraud Linked to Fake PSCA E-Challan

A new online fraud case has come to light in Islamabad, where a citizen lost Rs. 92,500 after falling victim to a scam involving a fake Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) e-challan. The incident occurred in the Sehala area, highlighting the growing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics.

The victim received a phone call claiming that a PSCA traffic e-challan had been issued in his name and that an immediate fine of Rs. 500 was required. The caller created a sense of urgency and pressured the victim to make the payment without verifying the authenticity of the claim.

What made this case particularly alarming was the extent of personal information the fraudster already possessed. The caller reportedly knew the victim’s CNIC number, mobile numbers, the total number of bank accounts, and even which account held the highest balance, amounting to millions of rupees. The fraudster repeatedly pressured the victim to pay from that account.

The victim attempted to minimize the loss by paying Rs. 500 through his EasyPaisa account, which held Rs. 92,000. Immediately after the transaction, the fraudster exploited the access and transferred the full balance online, resulting in a total loss of Rs. 92,500.

Authorities warn that this case demonstrates how cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging detailed personal and financial data to execute scams. Citizens are strongly advised not to share CNIC numbers, bank account details, OTPs, or verification codes over the phone, and to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls claiming to be from government authorities or financial institutions.

Failure to take precautions could lead to substantial financial losses, as seen in this Islamabad case.